CNY food...

Had a yearly indulgence of carrot cake at my relatives' house.


This time round, it was definitely more fun as the kids are older and they get to enjoy the yummy food.



They also enjoyed playing with their cousins.




The older cousins stayed in the house as they did their drawing.


Also had feasting at my mum-in-law's place as well as my parent's place.


At my parent's place, my church cell group went over to visit and had dinner. As usual, my mum would definitely ensure that we were all well-fed.


There were lots of cooked food as well as BBQ food.

My sister-in-law also invited us for dinner at her place. We had steamboat! It was very nice and healthy! Loved it!




I have to admit that I have controlled myself quite well this year. I didnt indulge too much on all the CNY goodies and spread of food. I guess that happened because I was down with flu and also had stomach upset. So that probably helped me to watch what I ate...a blessing in disguise indeed!

Yearly Reunion Dinner

The night before Chinese New Year, I would go to my parents' place for dinner.
Always looking forward to the spread of food!

But before that, there was a mini food spread going on here where Danielle was the host! She was laying the plates out and going to everyone, serving them drinks. Its interesting how she is now of age to do role-playing.



And here's the spread of food that I have been waiting for.

However, frankly speaking, my mum doesnt do this only once a year. In fact, she does have a whole table of food many times in a year. So I am very blessed to have a loving and generous mum! I have definitely picked up the "love of feeding people" from her.


After dinner, the kids all gathered in front of the TV to watch a cartoon movie! How absorbed they all looked.



Love it whenever the family eats together and play together..but more importantly, a family should pray together as well! That's what I am looking forward to in the new year ahead as we spend more time with God as a family every day!

New beginnings..

A new year is a new start, a new beginning to things. New year to me is like hitting the reset button. All those past 'mistakes', that become great learning opportunities, are all gone starting from now. Its time to try to make things right. Things like how I can be a more effective teacher? What strategies should I adopt to help my students get their As?

I do not know how this 2011 year will end, but I do hope that along the way, I will make little adjustments to whatever problems I might face so that I can correct it there and then. My new year resolution is to be make a more conscious effort in the things I love to do and want to do..to stop giving myself excuses. To put in simply, "Just do it!"

Tonight, I specially prepared steamboat cum BBQ for my family so that we can all dine in together at the comfort of our own home.

I always believe in a family sitting together around the dinner table and having a good meal as we fellowship and have meaningful conversations. But of course, right now, Caleb and Danielle just loves to stare at the TV while eating and have not learnt how to make conversations yet, but I am hoping to change all that and inculcate great and meaningful family time every day.

Here's our simple New Year's dinner! I prepared beef (marinated with Japanese BBQ sauce and garlic), pork, fresh prawns (marinated with wine, ginger and salt), threadfin fish slices (marinated with sesame oil, ginger, pepper, salt, soy sauce), shitake mushrooms, veggies, egg beancurd and homemade meatballs.




This is my version of comfort food!




The beef and prawns was the highlight of the dinner. Even Vicky who doesnt eat beef, enjoyed eating a slice of it!

Happy 2011 to one and all! May this year be a meaningful and purposeful one!

Reunion meals

Today is the eve of Chinese New Year. My church service was held last night instead. Anyway, went for reunion lunch at my mum-in-law's place. Had steamboat which is one of my favourite because its healthy! As usual, my mum-in-law would make her specialty- ngor hiang which I absolutely love!





It's so typical to have the whole table filled with food for reunion dinner. Its so unlike the western countries where they just have a few dishes but a lot of it. When I was in US and was invited for BBQ party, they just have like 4-5 dishes max, consisting of BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese as well as dessert, despite having about 15-20 people. I actually prefer the Western style as its more focused and it prevents me from overeating. It's like going to a buffet where there are lots of varieties and everything looks so good. So we tend to take a little of everything, which eventually adds up to A LOT!

Anyway, as usual, Caleb, Keelia and Danielle would be busy playing in the house. They would either be trying to climb the staircase, or running about, playing with sliding doors, curtains etc etc.




Once they reached home, they fell right asleep. They had to rest so that they will have enough energy for our next reunion meal at my mum's place.


After a good rest, Caleb was in the mood to sing while on the way to my parent's place. (Turn on your speakers to the MAX to hear him sing, "Heads & shoulders, knees and toes")



Had steamboat (chicken soup and spicy 'mala' soup) cum BBQ for dinner. Before that, we had 'Lo Hei', which my mum added pineapple. It was a nice touch to it! Loved it!


Here's the spread of food!




The whole night, I only focused on BBQ as I had enough of steamboat from lunch.


After dinner, Caleb and Danielle were playing on their vehicles. They loved it and wouldnt want to get out of it.




After Janine finished her meal, we all played with the sparklers together, including Danielle too!




Including CT...


The numerous boxes of sparklers which seemed like many initially, were all used up within a very short period of time. Had loads of fun!

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone and not forgetting, Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome 2010!

Had New Year's Eve dinner at mum's place. I specially requested for steamboat as its fun, healthy and meaningful!

Just before dinner, the children, including Janine went up to the roof garden to play.



Janine is such a big girl already. I cant imagine both Caleb and Danielle becoming her age and size. But then again, Janine is just one year older than Caleb. Can you believe it? Most would think Janine is about 5 years old considering how tall she is.

It has been a while since I last came up to the roof top garden. Noticed a lot of water apples (jambu) growing!



Both Caleb and Janine were playing with each other. They seemed to have a love and hate relationship. One moment they can play like they are best friends and other times, they can end up scolding each other and refusing to share any of their toys. I am glad today is a good day!





Here's what we had for steamboat..





Love veggies!




And much more..



Then there were all kinds of dip. But two special Japanese ones which my mum bought from Daiso. Its quite nice!


As usual, every new year, we would be able to see fireworks just outside my bedroom windows.


Happy New Year to everyone! May we all have a great 2010!

Little Guilin

Today, we went to my sister-in-law's place at Bukit Batok for dinner. But before that, here's CT checking the map...more importantly, look at how Danielle stares at the map.



And here's Danielle all ready to go out of the house.





We dropped by at "Little Guilin" before we went to the house as its near by. Check it out!





It was a nice scenic walk by the lake. However, I regretted bringing my pram as the path is quite uneven and rocky. Should have brought the sling instead.



After that,we brought Caleb to the playground down at my sis-in-law's block before going upstairs.



Had steamboat for dinner.This is something I wont grow sick of. Its so light and healthy. I love it!

The only thing is that now that I have two children, I have to sacrifice enjoying my dinner to feed the baby. So when everyone were tucking in to the steamboat, I was at the sofa feeding. I could only have my dinner much later.



Well, guess when there is love, there is sacrifice. So this is just one of the small sacrifice that mummies would make for their child.