Pumpkin Porridge

I have never cooked or even eaten pumpkin porridge before. But what prompted me to cook this today is 1 bowl of leftover rice, balance half pot of pork, corn and carrot soup stock, a quarter pumpkin in the fridge (thanks to XX who insisted I buy it at the veg market even though he has no idea what it is) and a curiousity about "南瓜粥" after watching one of the F4 character in the Korean drama "花样男子" eat them.

A quick search on the internet confirmed that "南瓜" is indeed pumpkin. In Korea, they call it "Hobahk Jook" or "Hobakjuk", and they actually use glutinous rice or even glutinous rice flour to cook it. They also blend it to make the texture more velvety and they add sugar! I think it should taste more like a dessert than a main meal cos it must be very sweet and gooey, like those chinese red bean soup dessert.

Anyway, I didn't follow their recipe, perhaps next time since I've still got some more pumpkin. I decided to do it my own style, using up the leftover stock and rice and adding some wolfberries. The result? I didn't know pumpkin can taste so nice. I should have made some pumpkin puree and porridge for my children when they were babies. The pumpkin literally melted into the porridge, making it naturally sweet. The pork and an added teaspoon of salt balances the flavour to make it more savoury. XX seemed to like it, he finished his portion. I quite like it too though sweet porridge is an acquired taste. Hubby, I can tell, he didn't really fancy it.

Local Delights

After 2 weeks of adjusting from jet lag and recovering from illness, I finally feel normal again. My kitchen is fully back in operation as I began to get into the hang of cooking and baking again.




I've been making some of our regular favourites, like pizzas and pastas, and also trying out quite a few new recipes, thanks in part to some new cookbooks, equipment and gadgets purchased from Singapore.





Sweet Buns

Got the recipe from Baking Mum's blog and tried it out for the first time. I made a variety of fillings, mainly strawberry jam (for XX) and chocolate (for KK). I also made some with pork floss, kaya and cheese, just to experiment a bit. It was quite fun trying out different shapes, and the children participated as well, kneading and shaping the dough. KK made a special one with the word "lego", turned out quite cute.










Chwee Kueh
I've been wanting to make these for a long time. Firstly, it's one of Hubby and my favourite hawker fare. We love the ones from Bedok. Secondly, chwee kuehs are not readily available in Melbourne. We found some at Chomp Chomps but they cost $4.50 for 3!! Though we crave for it, no way we will pay such ridiculous price for rice flour and salted tunips.

So this trip back, I made sure I stopped by Phoon Huat and got 12 chwee kueh moulds, in addition to eating my fill of Bedok's chwee kuehs. My first attempt, I didn't quite like the texture of the rice cakes. They were too dense and hard. I added 100ml more hot water and the next round turned out much softer. Still cannot beat those at Bedok's but it will satisfy the next round of cravings.










Muah Chees
I made these together with a friend, following the recipe from my latest cookbook of kuehs. Turns out really easy and just like those we eat at pasar malams! The tip is to place the sticky dough inside a plastic bag when kneading it, then it won't stick all over your fingers.








Pandan Waffles
My sister bought me a 3-in-1 sandwich maker with interchangeable grill and waffle plates. Pandan waffles is also something that I crave for from Singapore. Also waffles make a good breakfast with kaya/chocolate or dessert with ice-cream and fruits. I've been eyeing a sandwich grill and waffle maker for some time so this one really meets my needs.










Sweet Potato Fa-Gao
My friend made these and I found that they tasted good. So since I've bought a few sweet potatoes recently, I too followed the recipe and made a batch today. Yummy, though I was hoping they'll "fa" (rise) more....hee.

Heaven is the place you don't live in

I finally understand, that 'heaven' is the place you don't live in. (And along the same line, the 'best man' is the man you didn't marry!) It's just human nature, isn't it, to take for granted what you have, to compare, to envy and to believe the grass always looks greener on the other side.

What prompted me to be so philosophical was our latest trip to Singapore. In all my life living in Singapore, I have never 'enjoyed' my stay on the sunny island as much as those last 2 weeks of September. It's really funny but true. With the exception of a few odd ones, most of our friends living here in Australia look upon going back to S'pore for a holiday as a trip to 'heaven'. And it's no wonder. What itinerary can be better than the combination of good food, old friends and family reunions?

KK enjoyed his time back to S'pore so much that he sincerely tells people who asked him he prefers Singapore to Australia. He even asked me why the stay is so short. He would like us to stay there for one year. One year? I tell him OK, but that means you have to go to school there. Which also means, right about this time, you should be studying for your yearend exams. That brought it in perspective and he has not brought up the subject of staying in Singapore again ;-)

See what I mean? Holiday destinations always look more beautiful, the people are friendlier, the food taste better and even the water is sweeter than that back home. I used to think this of Australia when I come here for holidays but I know now, except for the scenery, the rest is not all true. It's the same for Singapore. I may have enjoyed my holiday there, but I have not been away that long to forget all the old gripes I had of our lives and the government when living there.

Anyway, now that I understand this human psychology, I constantly remind myself to appreciate the things and people around me and count the little blessings that I have. We can create our own heaven on earth, can't we? There's a little wise saying that goes "Contentment begins with grateful hearts".

10th Anniversary

4 days ago it was our 10th wedding anniversary and what was I doing?

We woke late that day, had a simple brunch, started another load of laundry, vacuumed the house and supervised KK with some Maths assessment. A very ordinary day. For dinner, we have decided to eat out, at a nearby Chinese Vietnamese restaurant. Unfortunately, just as we were about to leave for dinner, a wave of nausea and fatigue swept over me. I thought initially that I was just overtired from the housework but when I felt a little dizzy in the car, I knew something was not right with me. I didn't know it then, but that was the start of a viral attack that left me aching and restless, followed by bouts of diarrhea over the next 3 days. I sat listlessly through dinner, unable to enjoy the yummy roast duck and hot plate tofu in front of me. That about sums it up for the actual day we got married to each other a decade ago.

But don't feel bad for me that I've had such a lousy day. In fact, our celebrations for our 10th anniversary started weeks ago. It was in bits and pieces, all over the place literally, but still a complete celebration for me. I got the gift first, the most expensive gift I've ever received from him, in S'pore. Then I got the card in KL. Nothing very creative but sincere nonetheless. And we had a fusion Japanese dinner in KL where we dined on high quality food with exquisite flavours, all specially designed, artistically presented and made to order by the owner, who is our friend's friend. It was a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.

Appetizer - cold egg custard, pumpkin tempura with truffles butter, seaweed in vinegar, pan fried tuna with foie gras, , japanese tomato with carpaccio sauce, japanese season mackerel pike

Japanese style mini pizza

Kobe Beef with foie gras

Our main course - choice of Tomato Rissotto, Yellow noodles or Braised Wagyu Beef with baked mashed potato

I think more significant than the value of the gift, extravagance of the dinner or the creativity of the card, this wedding anniversary for me is a very meaningful one. 10 years is not a long time but it's not short either. The marriage has it's fair share of good and bad times, but I think we've weathered along pretty fine. Both of us have put in our fair share to make it work, though I believed there were at times a lot more patience and tolerance on his part....;-p! Although the anniversary celebration was scattered everywhere and anywhere, what I can feel consistently is the 100% appreciation of me and my contributions to the family my other half is trying to show. That is important for me.

Our friend of more than 10 years, Di with his wife to be, and an array of exotic flavours of ice-cream for dessert




The actual day has passed but celebrations are still not over. I have some other plans which are still work-in-progress, to commemorate the 10 wonderful years we have shared with each other together. Happy Anniversary, Lo Gong!

A Happy Return

We are finally back to Melbourne after 3-weeks away. My 2nd week in S'pore has been just as hectic as the first. After Hubby left for KL, I was alone with the kids but there was no lack of company nor activities. The boys spent most of their time in the company of their grandparents, auntie and uncle, who had specially taken leave from work to spend time with them, while I shuttered between running errands, meeting up with some friends and spending time with the family.

KK and XX were spoilt rotten on this trip. Not only were there no restrictions on their bedtimes and no homework (for KK), they were showered with treats and gifts by their grandparents, grand-aunts, aunties and uncles. They were also treated like some mini-celebrities, countless digital pictures were taken of them, with frequent requests for kisses as poses. There were always some candies and chewing gums on offer during the initial meeting. Later, there will be shopping trips to Toys R Us where they shamelessly charmed their way to LEGOs, Bakugans and Hot Wheels amongst others. I am terribly embarrassed at the expense but I know making the children happy makes these doting adults happy as well. I am sincerely thankful for the treats, gifts of toys and clothings and also feel abundantly blessed by the warm reception we received during this trip back.

I would also like to thank my family members for their support during this trip, in terms of providing childcare, lodging and transportation, without which we will incur lots more expenses and inconvenience. There were always willing babysitters available when I needed to go run some errands or meet up with friends. On shopping trips, they carried the kids, carried the strollers up and down flights of stairs etc. When we needed to move our luggages to and from the airport, we couldn't have done it alone without their help to carry the boxes and bags. Many of my friends have also been very kind to pick me up and send me back after our dinner dates.

It was very nice to see familiar faces again and see the kids enjoy the company of their 'Yiyi' and 'Kaufu' and friends. I'm very sure I will miss all of you! All in, it was a very fun and fruitful trip for us. I managed to fulfill most of my errands and enjoyed the food I missed. We came back with more things than we brought there, and most importantly, we brought back a whole load of fun memories.

Selamat Singapore

This is my first trip back to S'pore in more than a year and I feel totally at ease coming back, as if I've never left. Even the inconvenience of taking public transport and the much dreaded warmer weather didn't seem so bad. The buses and trains are air-conditioned, new and comfortable, even the bus drivers seemed friendlier. Except the initial sweating those first few hours after getting out of Changi Airport, I'm able to stay calm and cool most of the time but my active boys, their hair is often wet from perspiration.

You Tiao and Soya Milk Breakfast

Everything feels familiar, though initially, I do feel like I have developed 'new' eyes. I am noticing things that I've always taken for granted in the past. Like how people here dress and behave and the landscape of tall concrete buildings. Of course, after a few days, my eyes got accustomed but they're still very busy taking in all the changes in Singapore's shopping landscape and the ever so delicious looking, never ending selection of food, glorious food. Honestly, I am kidding myself if I think I can savour all those food that I like within the 2 weeks of my stay. But I'll still try.

My favourite - Sweet & Sour Pork

Another good one - Chilli Crab

Our social life this last week has been very active and hectic. We go out everyday and most days, we return home only after 10pm. The boys have been going to bed around mid-night, that would be 2am Melbourne time, unimaginable back home. Gosh, I refuse to think now how I'll adjust them back to 9pm bedtime when we go back.

Old Young Friends

And they're having so much fun. As we meet up with our old friends, they also get to catch up with the kiddies of our friends. The adults don't change much but children, after one year, they grow taller, leaner and behave differently. Like at yesterday's Hari Raya gathering with a group of old university friends, there were 8 other kids in addition to my 2 boys, age ranging 2 to 10, I spent a considerable amount of time staring at each child and noticing their developments. There was a time when they were all toddlers who had all their milk teeth, didn't wear spectacles and didn't know how to play together, but yesterday, some were missing one or 2 front teeth, many bespectacled but who cares. The boys especially, were soon huddled around playing "Bakugans" and watching "Star Wars", like old friends.

The Bakugan Club

Are We There Yet? (Images Added)

It has been more than a year since I travelled internationally. Although the 8-hour flight from MEL to SIN is only considered medium haul, alone with the 2 active kids in Economy Class, I'm mentally preparing myself for a long long time in the fuslage.

The children were really well-behaved at the airport and on the plane. It was a day flight and we had reached the airport at 1330hrs. I expected the kids to be active during the flight but surprisingly, XX fell asleep during take-off and only woke up 3 hours later. That left me with only 5 hours of nannying and a lot of personal time to browse the newspapers, watch a movie and enjoy my meal while he napped. KK took care of himself most of the time with the in-flight entertainment system. Although Hubby came down once or twice during the flight from Business Class to check on us, there was nothing much that he needed to help.

After XX woke up, I fed him his pasta and introduced him to the entertainment system to keep him occupied. The only challenge came when XX wanted to go to the toilet. The queue was very long at the lavertories as it was just after the meal service. Nobody volunteered to let me go first on account of the toddler I was carrying so I decided to go visit Hubby in Business Class and ask him to take XX to the Business Class toilets. Unfortunately, Hubby was sleeping like a child when I got there. Regardless, I asked the crew if I could use their toilet and of course, SIA's crew seldom say no.

Even though my children were extremely well-behaved and I was having a relatively comfortable flight compared to the mummy on the other aisle, I was still relieved for the flight to end. After 8 hours, I was running out of toys to keep XX occupied and am utilising my lifeline of candies. Even KK is getting bored. There's only so much you can watch do on the AVOD. I cannot imagine if I have to continue another leg of journey to Europe after this!