This is my final week of work before I start my maternity leave. It still hasn't quite hit me that I will be taking 12 months off. 12 months off work seems so long, I wonder if I will get bored.
I feel very tired and exhausted from work. I really want to have a break but then is this really a break? I have a feeling that i'll be more tired looking after a baby than being at work!!
Ray and I have finished our antenatal classes. The classes were very good. It's given me reassurance and a better understanding of everything. The good thing is, it's also prepared Ray for the birth of our child too and how he can help me :P
This week at work, i'll be doing nothing but sitting around, emailing and surfing the internet. Pretty boring :(
Revolves around a sparkling world of small to big things that happen and love sharing the way I think with the people who are in my life. I believe laughter and eating yummy desserts is the best tool for stress relief.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Steak Pie
I get abit lost sometimes when I need to think of what to cook for dinner. Thank you Alice for giving me these lovely ideas :)
Steak pie with carrots & mushrooms with mash :)
Steak pie with carrots & mushrooms with mash :)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Dinner for one
Ray's last day at work today so he's gone out to have dinner & drinks with his collegues.
I decided to have a light and healthy meal tonight so I made a salad :)
Mixed leaves with avocado, tomato, beetroot, parmesan & balsamic vinegar.
I decided to have a light and healthy meal tonight so I made a salad :)
Mixed leaves with avocado, tomato, beetroot, parmesan & balsamic vinegar.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Ray's Birthday
It's hubby's birthday today and originally I suggested to take him out to a nice dinner, but being the family man that he is, he preferred to have a quiet dinner at home with me so we decided to buy some high quality grade Wagyu to have at home :)
We figured that the best way to have a Wagyu was not in steak form, but to cut them into little bite sized pieces, fry them quickly in the pan on both sides and dipped in soy sauce so is tender and juicy. It's soooo yummm :)
We figured that the best way to have a Wagyu was not in steak form, but to cut them into little bite sized pieces, fry them quickly in the pan on both sides and dipped in soy sauce so is tender and juicy. It's soooo yummm :)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Ring
A recent conversation I had with a male friend was quite interesting. Well, I thought it was quite interesting.
He is currently living with his girlfriend of 4 years. They bought a house together and have been living there for about 1 year now. Since they bought the house, they have joint accounts. Both their income goes into the offset account and they just use money from the one account. It seems like these days that's the best way to save money and reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan. They both don't have any "secret" money of their own.
He is planning to propose to her in December this year. He is saving money to buy her ring. Now, here's the key part, he plans to use "their" savings from "their" offset account to buy the ring. Does that sound unfair or is that the norm nowadays? When he mentioned he was saving up for the ring, and a bell started ringing in my head.. huh? that sounds weird. I don't think I would like my boyfriend to propose to me with a ring bought with "our" money. Call me old fashion, but it just doesn't sound right.
So if that's the case, here's the next question, is it really simply better get engaged before you commit to buying a house with your partner? Obviously all the savings would go towards the deposit of the home. Would you point out to him to leave some savings for the ring?? But what if that 20% deposit you needed was everything you had? What would you do? What do people do? Or by that time, the ring doesn't matter that much anymore?
I'm truely old fashion. My boyfriend needs to buy me to ring, needs a romantic/sweet or at least "a thought put into" the proposal process and of course, last but not least, a bunch of roses. I think that is the way it should be. :)
He is currently living with his girlfriend of 4 years. They bought a house together and have been living there for about 1 year now. Since they bought the house, they have joint accounts. Both their income goes into the offset account and they just use money from the one account. It seems like these days that's the best way to save money and reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan. They both don't have any "secret" money of their own.
He is planning to propose to her in December this year. He is saving money to buy her ring. Now, here's the key part, he plans to use "their" savings from "their" offset account to buy the ring. Does that sound unfair or is that the norm nowadays? When he mentioned he was saving up for the ring, and a bell started ringing in my head.. huh? that sounds weird. I don't think I would like my boyfriend to propose to me with a ring bought with "our" money. Call me old fashion, but it just doesn't sound right.
So if that's the case, here's the next question, is it really simply better get engaged before you commit to buying a house with your partner? Obviously all the savings would go towards the deposit of the home. Would you point out to him to leave some savings for the ring?? But what if that 20% deposit you needed was everything you had? What would you do? What do people do? Or by that time, the ring doesn't matter that much anymore?
I'm truely old fashion. My boyfriend needs to buy me to ring, needs a romantic/sweet or at least "a thought put into" the proposal process and of course, last but not least, a bunch of roses. I think that is the way it should be. :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Noodles with a smile
Tonight I made instant noodles with a smile for my hubby.
He's been working very hard lately and has been quite stressed, so I thought i'd make him smile by putting something different in his instant noodles hehehe :)
He's been working very hard lately and has been quite stressed, so I thought i'd make him smile by putting something different in his instant noodles hehehe :)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Failed attempt 1: Earl grey tea chiffon cake
I've finally gotten back into baking. I made a little change to Poh's Recipe for her Orange Chiffon Cake and used Earl Grey tea as substitute. I LOVE Pandan Chiffon cakes that you can get at Asian grocery stores so after seeing a friend make it with Earl Grey tea and saying it's very yummy, I decided to try making it myself. It gives a very nice tea aroma, but I think I could of made the tea abit more condensed. Will try that next time.
Unfortunately, my cake deflated :( - BUT even though it deflated, it's still very tasty and very yummy. I made my cake around 4pm and its 11.30pm now and there's only a 1/4 left!
Unfortunately, my cake deflated :( - BUT even though it deflated, it's still very tasty and very yummy. I made my cake around 4pm and its 11.30pm now and there's only a 1/4 left!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Masterchef Dinner
Mike had a day off yesterday so he decided to cook up a 3 course meal - of course, being influenced my Masterchef Australia. After knowing his menu for the night, Ray and I volunteered ourselves to join the dinner :P
Since, I had already planned to make a risotto for dinner, I brought the ingredients along to my mums place and made it over there. It was a really really nice dinner :)
Entree: Avocado, Cherry Tomato and Red Onion with parsley and spinach puree bruschetta.
Since, I had already planned to make a risotto for dinner, I brought the ingredients along to my mums place and made it over there. It was a really really nice dinner :)
Entree: Avocado, Cherry Tomato and Red Onion with parsley and spinach puree bruschetta.
Main 1: My own mushroom and spinach risotto
Main 2: Roast lamb with Mint Pea Puree, Mash and Salad
Dessert: Peaches and Vanilla Icecream Mille Feuille
Friday, June 11, 2010
Malaysian Bee Hive Cake
I tried this cake when I was in Taiwan and I LOVED it!! It's a brown sugar version of our chinese "bart tong go". I found this recipe and it's a "must try"!!
The cake turned out very nice. I thought it would be abit thicker, but it's quite thin.
I think next time I make this cake, i'll try using honey and rock sugar. The flavour would be stronger than using brown sugar. mmh... I'm back into my baking mood.. la la laaala...
The cake turned out very nice. I thought it would be abit thicker, but it's quite thin.
I think next time I make this cake, i'll try using honey and rock sugar. The flavour would be stronger than using brown sugar. mmh... I'm back into my baking mood.. la la laaala...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Siw bak at his 2nd home for the first time!!
On the weekend, we brought Siw bak over to Rays place for the first time. We want to try to bring him over on Friday afternoon so that he can stay with us for Saturday and Sunday and we'll bring him back to my mum's place on Sunday afternoon. That way, we can take him easily for a walk at the Olympic Park and I can spend more time with him.
Unfortunately, we haven't had very good weather on the weekends and sometimes we have plans for both Sat and Sun, so we don't want to bring him over and leave him at home alone because I don't know if he'll bark, wee and poo and I don't want to put him just outside on the balcony.
So this is the first time we brought him over. He was such a good boy and I was so happy. He stood and stared at the front door when he needed to go to the toilet (and he did it a few times!!) so we just put his leash back on and take him outside. That was one thing I was very worried about, that he wouldn't know where the front door is in the new environment. It's very different having a dog in a unit compared to a house.
I've never had a dog in a unit before because i've always felt it was slack to have a dog in such a small space (as well as i've never lived in a unit here in Sydney) - hence, we're only bringing him over during the weekends when we know we will be at home.
We took him for a tour around the house and upstairs into our bedroom. We brought his mat over so he was quite comfortable, however, he found Rays carpet more comfy so he marked his spot on Rays green carpet. He was so cute!! We spent the day watching DVDs and hugging Siw bak. It was soooo nice.
The bad thing is that when people walk down the hallway outside, Siw bak will start to bark. I'm abit worried because i'm not sure this is a pet friendly block of units, even though i've seen people bring dogs in and out of the building. I'll have to slowly train Siw bak to not bark.
I can't wait till I start my maternity leave! I can bring Siw bak over & we can go for walks together :)
Unfortunately, we haven't had very good weather on the weekends and sometimes we have plans for both Sat and Sun, so we don't want to bring him over and leave him at home alone because I don't know if he'll bark, wee and poo and I don't want to put him just outside on the balcony.
So this is the first time we brought him over. He was such a good boy and I was so happy. He stood and stared at the front door when he needed to go to the toilet (and he did it a few times!!) so we just put his leash back on and take him outside. That was one thing I was very worried about, that he wouldn't know where the front door is in the new environment. It's very different having a dog in a unit compared to a house.
I've never had a dog in a unit before because i've always felt it was slack to have a dog in such a small space (as well as i've never lived in a unit here in Sydney) - hence, we're only bringing him over during the weekends when we know we will be at home.
We took him for a tour around the house and upstairs into our bedroom. We brought his mat over so he was quite comfortable, however, he found Rays carpet more comfy so he marked his spot on Rays green carpet. He was so cute!! We spent the day watching DVDs and hugging Siw bak. It was soooo nice.
The bad thing is that when people walk down the hallway outside, Siw bak will start to bark. I'm abit worried because i'm not sure this is a pet friendly block of units, even though i've seen people bring dogs in and out of the building. I'll have to slowly train Siw bak to not bark.
I can't wait till I start my maternity leave! I can bring Siw bak over & we can go for walks together :)
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Counting down
Less than 3 months to go now till i'm due, till there's a new addition in our family. It's a very exciting time for us, yet, last night I got scared.
Scared because I am not sure how I'm going to be as a mother.
Scared because I don't know if i can cope.
Scared because I want to give my child the best and teach it the best.
Scared because I can feel my patience level deteriorating.
Scared just because i'm scared.
Deep inside, I know that I'll be ok. I'll have the help of my hubby and my mum but it's the next stage of our lives we are about to step into.
I hope things will be ok.
Scared because I am not sure how I'm going to be as a mother.
Scared because I don't know if i can cope.
Scared because I want to give my child the best and teach it the best.
Scared because I can feel my patience level deteriorating.
Scared just because i'm scared.
Deep inside, I know that I'll be ok. I'll have the help of my hubby and my mum but it's the next stage of our lives we are about to step into.
I hope things will be ok.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Parmesan baked fish
My first time in making baked fish with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Suprisingly yummy :)
A great change
It's been a while since we've been talking about opening our own business. We've gone to look at businesses for sale, taken their business plan, read it and put it aside. So it's always been a "look" & "talk" approach. It's been like that for the last few years.
We've finally taken the big step and put a deposit on a Cafe in North Sydney. It's a big change for my family as it's changed some of our plans which included buying a house. Our house will now need to wait for a little while :)
I can't believe i'm going to be a mum and a business owner at the same time. It's very very exciting!!
We've finally taken the big step and put a deposit on a Cafe in North Sydney. It's a big change for my family as it's changed some of our plans which included buying a house. Our house will now need to wait for a little while :)
I can't believe i'm going to be a mum and a business owner at the same time. It's very very exciting!!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
@ 22 weeks
For my friends that have been asking for a photo of what I look like at 22 weeks, here you go :)
Oyakodon for dinner tonight
Another idea from Alice, and suprisingly, my first go wasn't too bad :)
I've never been a cook at all, and I have absolutely no idea of what sauces I can and can't mix together. In the past, I've been very lucky that my mum cooks for us, and doesn't require our help except washing veges or cutting up mushrooms. When it gets to the cooking stage, she wants us ALL out of the kitchen, so the things I can cook are very limited. Thanks to food blogs and Alice's blog, i'm getting ideas :)
This is Rays bowl
I've never been a cook at all, and I have absolutely no idea of what sauces I can and can't mix together. In the past, I've been very lucky that my mum cooks for us, and doesn't require our help except washing veges or cutting up mushrooms. When it gets to the cooking stage, she wants us ALL out of the kitchen, so the things I can cook are very limited. Thanks to food blogs and Alice's blog, i'm getting ideas :)
This is Rays bowl
and mine (smaller of course) :)
Duck & preserved veges rice noodles
Alice a & I have been sharing cooking & food ideas, as well as looking at different food recipes. I saw that she made this on her blog and I suddenly have a craving for it, so I asked Ray to get half a duck. I haven't made this for ages and it's the first time i've used duck bone to make a broth and using it to cook the rice noodles. It was really tasty andyum and we finished it in 1 day - plus packed lunch for the next day for both of us :)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Three months into married life
Many of my friends have asked me how married life is. I've asked my friends who have recently married, how they feel married life is. I got many of the same responses, which is: "Not much, just an extra piece of jewellery."
I don't feel that way, I feel alot more than that. I feel very very happy to be able to share the rest of my life with someone that I love. Someone that I care about and someone that cares about me.
I often feel quite spoilt, in that my husband will go and check my car to make sure I have enough petrol, and if i only have half or 1/4 left, he would take my car out and fill in petrol for me.
Every morning, I will see my 2 sets of keys (house & car) next to my mobile phone which he'll always put next to my handbag. Thinking about small little things like this make me smile and remind me how lucky I am. I know i'm being taken care of. We've been through alot to be where we are now, the ride hasn't been easy. It was very tough.
I love going home after work to hang out with him, even though we don't do much but cook and watch TV. Our unit is very small, yet cosy.
I've been learning how to cook to make different and yummy dinners for him. I get tired after work but I love cooking for my husband. Watching him eat 3 bowls of rice and 1 big bowl of soup makes me feel so happy. What makes me even happier is watching him pack his lunch for the next day :)
I giggle as I watch his waistline go a little wider. I giggle when he tries to do sit ups to get his sixpack back and I giggle when I see a small muffin top when he puts on his pants.
I'm loving every day we spend together. I love the laughs that we have. It's very special :)
I don't feel that way, I feel alot more than that. I feel very very happy to be able to share the rest of my life with someone that I love. Someone that I care about and someone that cares about me.
I often feel quite spoilt, in that my husband will go and check my car to make sure I have enough petrol, and if i only have half or 1/4 left, he would take my car out and fill in petrol for me.
Every morning, I will see my 2 sets of keys (house & car) next to my mobile phone which he'll always put next to my handbag. Thinking about small little things like this make me smile and remind me how lucky I am. I know i'm being taken care of. We've been through alot to be where we are now, the ride hasn't been easy. It was very tough.
I love going home after work to hang out with him, even though we don't do much but cook and watch TV. Our unit is very small, yet cosy.
I've been learning how to cook to make different and yummy dinners for him. I get tired after work but I love cooking for my husband. Watching him eat 3 bowls of rice and 1 big bowl of soup makes me feel so happy. What makes me even happier is watching him pack his lunch for the next day :)
I giggle as I watch his waistline go a little wider. I giggle when he tries to do sit ups to get his sixpack back and I giggle when I see a small muffin top when he puts on his pants.
I'm loving every day we spend together. I love the laughs that we have. It's very special :)
Online shopping - Part 2
How I love online shopping. I received my items in 3 working days.
I love the suspense of waiting for my shopping delivery at work and checking EMS every day to see where my shipment is at.
The part I enjoy the most is unwrapping. Unwrapping a package with my new clothes, all individually wrapped with clear plastic. The feeling reminds me of when I was a little girl and waiting for the clock to tick past 12am on the 24th December so I can open my Christmas presents that sit very nicely under the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the feeling of happily waiting anxiously for good news to come my way :)
Yesterday, as soon as I got home, I rushed upstairs to my bedroom, made sure I had enough room space on the floor, picked up my pair of scissors and cut the package apart. Taking each piece by piece, trying them on and having them fit & look good, it's was such a happy feeling :)
I love the suspense of waiting for my shopping delivery at work and checking EMS every day to see where my shipment is at.
The part I enjoy the most is unwrapping. Unwrapping a package with my new clothes, all individually wrapped with clear plastic. The feeling reminds me of when I was a little girl and waiting for the clock to tick past 12am on the 24th December so I can open my Christmas presents that sit very nicely under the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the feeling of happily waiting anxiously for good news to come my way :)
Yesterday, as soon as I got home, I rushed upstairs to my bedroom, made sure I had enough room space on the floor, picked up my pair of scissors and cut the package apart. Taking each piece by piece, trying them on and having them fit & look good, it's was such a happy feeling :)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Online shopping
Arrrggghhhh.. i've gone crazy doing online shopping!!!!
It's soooo addictive!!!
Can't wait to receive my new goodies :)
It's soooo addictive!!!
Can't wait to receive my new goodies :)
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