Date with hubby

Always look forward to dates with my hubby as we have similar interests--food and movies. Typical Singaporean stuff. Anyway,because its youth day holiday, we went to Suntec to watch Transformers which I absolutely loved!

I am not sure if its my brother's influence..but since young, I always enjoy guys' stuff like playing computer games, cars, robots, action, super heroes etc.

Anyway, after the show, we went to have lunch at Aston Specialties. I ordered my usual sirloin steak while CT ordered a super burger which was DISGUSTINGLY OILY and FATTENING!



The burger had deep fried onion rings in it. I felt this dish would cause an immediate heart attack after eating it.



Anyway, after lunch, we had dessert at Andersen's of Denmark.



I was stuffed and bloated. Wanted to go home already but CT insisted on getting his free Latte at Spinelli's which I still have no idea why people would pay about $6 for this?!!! It was bitter and yucky! I hate coffee...



Nevertheless, we had a great time together and taking the train home!

The bubble tea battle

For quite a while, I have been quite curious as to why they have been a revival of bubble tea shops. Many many years back, there was a bubble tea craze all over Singapore and now, though it is not as crazy as before, it still baffles me as to why the craze is back and why people are buying them at 3 times the selling price as the earliest ones. People are also prepared to wait for almost 30 mins for their bubble tea even though there are cheaper options nearby.

So instead of asking all those 'why' questions, I might as well be more proactive and discover it myself!



As I was waiting for my bubble tea patiently, CT decided to go to a nearby expensive bubble tea shop with no queue to see the difference.

Initially, I was rather skeptical as to whether I can tell the difference between the normal bubble tea ones that cost about $1.20 and the expensive ones that I am getting for the price of $3 bucks.

Here's what I got with 50% sweetness (by the way, you can choose the level of sugar for the expensive ones)


I got the Alisan Milk Tea with pearls and the verdict was: There's actually a difference! The tea is so much more fragrant and I love the milky taste! It feels so much healthier drinking this as compared to the artificial taste that you get from the $1.20 ones you get.

As for CT, he paid more than $3 for his bubble tea and it tasted also very nice.

So, I have to admit that it is worth the queue and the price...once in a while!

Simple fun at home

Thank God CT and I both love to be at the comfort of our home. So spending time together as a family has been a priority in our lives.

There would be times when CT would suggest flying kites just down our block even on a weekday..just as long as its windy. Caleb was having fun running around with his kite.



Then I got the children interested with the mimosas growing in the field. They started looking out for them to touch!


Now that my children are slightly older, they enjoy playing with each other since especially they are around the same age (only a year apart) Its joy watching them grow and enjoying each other's company.





They both love to imitate each other. So at times I really wonder who is more influential. I have to always remind Caleb to set a good example for Danielle to follow.

Here's both of them enjoying the blueberry almond crumble muffin which I made...




Danielle loves playing hide and seek at home and there was once when she hid behind the towel in the room which is really cute because her legs were obviously sticking out.


This would be one of our fun activities at home.


It could set them running around crazily and noisily at home.

One of the activity which I would look forward to is getting my children involved in cooking. Kids have a lot of creativity which many adults do not have and that would definitely help in cooking. I am sure they will amaze me like how the Junior Masterchefs in Australia has. Loved the show and how it has inspired me to pass on the love of cooking to my children.

But of course, role modeling for them is always the best start.
Here's what I cooked for them for our pre- CNY's reunion dinner.

There's Kai Lan veggies with oyster sauce and fried garlic on top


ginger, spring onions, oyster sauce chicken with a splash of wine


And claypot rice with chinese sausages, dried mushrooms and waxed duck


I shall start thinking of recipes the kids can help to chip in to make...

School CNY celebration

Since CNY doesnt fall on Saturday, we didnt have much of a celebration in school. Only about half an hour long of celebration while the rest of the time, we had usual lessons. During such a day like this, no students would be in the mood to really study. So, I prepared something light and easy to teach instead.

Vicky and Danielle took bus to my school to meet up with me while I went to Caleb's school to pick him up. Caleb actually cried while walking to our car as he wanted to take the school bus! Sigh....

In school, the students seemed to be more attracted to Danielle than the performance. And for once, this wall in my school which I see it every day and took it for granted, finally had some purpose as Danielle seemed attracted to it.



There was Jap drums by our normal technical students, performances by our school dancers as well as singing performances by students and teachers.


After school, I went together with some of my colleagues to Punggol Choon Seng Restaurant for lunch. We ordered black pepper crab, which Danielle ate quite a lot (almost the whole leg), mee goreng, crispy pipa duck, crispy ngor hiang and prawn roll, 2 plates of veggies, bean curd and orh nee (yam paste)as dessert.

The following pictures were taken by Caleb as he was bored while waiting for the food to come..here goes.





Caleb didnt eat much as he was probably tired. As for Danielle, she definitely ate more than Caleb.


Went back straight after lunch to put them to sleep. Lunch was not as good as the last time, probably because of the crowd. But still love the mee goreng and crispy prawn roll as usual.

Annual Christmas Party

Every year, my parents would organise a Christmas Party where they would invite relatives and close friends to their house. This year is no exception. I would always wait eagerly for the time when the young ones would gather and play together, as well as indulge in red wine and great food! Not forgetting, the whole load of presents the children gets!

The kids first started off gathering together for a Barbie cartoon! That was an opportune time to get some shots of them TOGETHER!



There's Chey Chey Phoebe and Danielle sitting down side by side as Danielle puts the barbie hand in her mouth...


Baby Joyanne was busy eating in front of the TV. Here's her perpetual puzzled look.



Before indulging in the whole spread of food, my father made a speech talking about the meaning of Christmas and shared about what he was thankful to God for in 2009. He said in English while my mum translated in Cantonese.


Here's a snippet of food pictures which we ate that night. I didnt manage to capture all the food...

We had finger food..which was nicely presented--toothpicks poked into the pineapple.



Then there was prawn and fruit salad prepared by Aunt Rosalind.


as well as baked potatoes with bacon and cheese, steamed cauliflower topped with cream of mushroom, portabello mushrooms, bacon and coriander.





Felt it wasnt a really good idea to put portabello mushrooms as it comes out water when sauteed. So, in the end, the gravy was too watery. So just adding bacon and coriander as toppings is good enough.

As for dessert, we had almond agar agar with longan as well as mango pudding and apple, choc chip crumble. All homemade! So yummy!


There were lots more food like roast beef (which I kept eating!! Probably ate about 4 slices!), as well as pasta, roast turkey, honey baked ham etc etc..



Caleb was having a fun time with his cousins and Godma!




During the later part of the party, me and my cousin decided to give ourselves a challenge by trying to get all the kids to sit down together, look at the camera and smile at the camera. We tried and this was the best we could do...We were delusional in thinking it could work. Anyway, what was important was that WE TRIED..



I really enjoyed the party for its great food and company! Every dish was superb!! Cant wait for Chinese New Year!

Say Cheez!

Caleb has learnt to smile and stare at the camera when I take his photo. He first started off not being able to stare at the camera and doesnt understand the word, "smile". Then slowly, he knew how to 'smile' (inverted commas because it was more like a constipated look) and he wouldnt stare at the camera. Presently, he has learnt,slowly but surely, to stare and smile, giving a slightly better smile than what was in the past.

Here are his smiles..



As I see Caleb in these photos, I really think he doesnt look like the average 2 year old baby look. Firstly, he doesnt have much baby fats and secondly, his face looks so mature...



Just recently, I went to Raffles City alone to shop for at Robinsons for Christmas presents and after shopping, I went down to Basement 1 and bought lunch as I sat by the fountain. Then I saw my ex-student who happened to work in J.Co Donuts. So in the end, she gave me 6 donuts for free as at the same time, there was a Singtel promotion. Hmm..teaching is really a rewarding job!



My whole family loves donuts and Caleb especially kept asking for more!


Since Caleb has learnt to smile and say "Cheez"...I can take better shots of him now! Yay, cant wait!

It's baking time!

Today, the teachers organised baking session in school, taught by our very own Food & Nutrition teacher, Mrs Choo. She has been very kind to organise cooking sessions like these as well as boiling drinks like barley or green bean soup for the teachers.

Mrs Choo taught us how to make banana and nut cupcakes. I participated more for the fun of it as I knew I would be able to take back what I prepared. Moreover, I didnt have much things to do in school anyway.

Here were the things given to me...


It was easy and fun to make, especially when there were a number of us all trying to follow the steps and doing it together.


This is the outcome after mixing the flour with egg, sugar and butter..


Then I throw in the nuts, raisins and banana with milk





Put it into the cupcake wrapper and into the oven



What better way to spend our time while waiting for the cupcakes to be baked...take more pictures!


Here's the outcome of my cupcakes! So proud of my achievement as they looked so perfect!



There's me and Mrs Choo,my shi fu (teacher)!


Mrs Choo commented during the baking session that I am a good and quiet worker. Her comment kind of triggered me to think about myself and how I work..Indeed, she was right. During the whole time, the other teachers keep asking Mrs Choo to check their work and they go about talking and discussing on their outcome.

As for me, I was just quietly doing my stuff and concentrating. Her comment made me realised more about my myself and my working style-You just leave me alone and let me do my stuff...dont disturb me and I will be able to produce good work. If I have any questions, I will definitely speak up and ask. If not, dont bother me!!



Cant wait for my next cooking session, which will probably be next year during the holidays, when most teachers would be free and relaxed!