Archive for April, 2009

Here Comes the Weekend!

18/04/2009

It’s been a busy week. Phew! I skipped lunch and dinner today.

But as the title of this post says, I am thrilled that the weekend is coming!

Most Sundays, we try to have friends over for dinner. We also write about our dinners, linking them on Yummy Sunday. We enjoy cooking for good company.

What makes it more interesting of late is that I discovered my allergy to alcohol is gone! Since my early twenties, I have had adverse reactions to alcohol. Even after giving birth to my children, I could not take the traditional Chinese herbal alcohol-based drinks, much to my Mother-in-Law’s sadness. She kept telling me that I should try to drink more to overcome this. But try as I did, I was still allergic to it. I kept getting itchy raised patches all over my skin and even had fevers as my body fought to deal with it.

Now however, things have changed! Perhaps it’s age! Perimenopause has it’s good side!I have been able to taste some really nice brands and types.

Because of my past allergy I have not bothered to learn about alcohols – I just avoided it. Now, however, I wonder if I should sign up to get wine of the month where I can learn more as well as taste some! In fact, I almost wonder if I should make up for lost time… Imagine, good food, great company and excellent wine. What a winning combination this promises to be!

Now, who shall we invite over this time?

One Step Further

17/04/2009

In my last post, I talked about the travel bug hitting and how it was good to have sites which help get good deals. Well, another aspect of good deals is a good place to stay. Emphasis on the “good”!

What more if it were free!

Yes, to have free hotel rooms for any holiday would be fabulous – the cherry on the icing! Amazingly, this is possible! Hard to imagine, but true! What’s more, these places ARE available! Surfing on line will reveal some….

The Bug Bites

16/04/2009

After that last post, it was a matter of time before the bug would bite. The travel bug that is!

There are so many interesting places to go to. Time is of essence. I wonder where I should go and where the best offers are. It’s good that there are places where we can check out the best travel deals. Without such sites, it would be horrible to plan holidays!

Now to pester Hubby to set aside some time!

Have Song Will Travel

15/04/2009

Have you ever had a song ringing in your mind?

Have you ever had a song ringing in your mind until you are compelled to do something about it?

I think everyone at some point in their life, must have had this experience to some measure!

Mine just took place- again!

Do you know that song, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina“? (Ooooo just typing this sets me off again!)

Well, it is running in my mind right now. So much so that I decided to go check out Argentina.

My search led me to seriously consider Argentina travel! I mean just look at these beautiful sites!

argentina01 argentina04Breathtaking.

Anyone fancy going there for a trip with me one day? I would only have one condition – don’t sing that song before, during and after that trip!

Tissue Bread and…..

13/04/2009

Bread I know.

Tissue I have heard.

But tissue bread?

Ahhhh seeing is believing, someone one said.

So here is a photo of what tissue bread, or as the locals call it, ROTI TISU, looks like.

salim02Awesome sight isn’t it! Tastes very light and is very thin. Hence the name.

Available at most good Indian Muslim shops (also known as Mamak) in Malaysia!

Don’t be Deceived

12/04/2009

Many think Christmas is one of the most significant events of the Christian calendar. Even the stores which do not boast of Christian managers or owners would spend much in advertising to lure the crowds at the end of every year. Retailers will tell you how this is the time they make the most business.

But do not be deceived. There is yet another event which in some ways eclipses the main one.

The celebration of Easter is diluted in comparison with that of Christmas. I believe this is a scheme of the enemy to detract us from the more important event – Jesus came to die that we might live. And more importantly, He rose from the dead so that we might truly live!

This Easter may you discover the Christ, because through Him and Him alone can we have…

hope03Blessings!

Making It Easy

09/04/2009

Well, they have been gone for more than forty-eight hours.

The night before, when I went to get a bottle of water, I saw their personal water bottles downstairs on the dry kitchen counter. That set me off. Hubby had to chuckle, “What? You mean you cried when you saw their water bottles?” And I could only nod!

I am tempted to go and visit them though I know I ought not. I tell myself that perhaps they need things that I could buy for them. If I had gift cards I know it would be easy. I could just present the cards as I make my purchases and the relevant amount would be deducted. I wouldn’t need to take extra currency and I wouldn’t need to buy the items before going. To hand carry them would be such a bother!

Hmmm I am beginning to convince myself here! Perhaps I should look at my schedule….!

Together

07/04/2009

When they were younger, it seemed like hard work for a bit. 21 months! They were almost like twins!

At a young age, however, they learned to be good friends with one another. The less than two years between them seemed a good gap – not too big and not too small.

They have enjoyed doing things together even from a young age. Sometimes I called them the Partners in Crime. Great friends despite the difference in personalities, they have got on very well.

As they grew, they had their own circle of friends. But brothers remain brothers and they remain close.

As they grew, their interests varied, but inevitably they still shared common interests. Often I would hear one defer to the other in making choices of where to go and what to do.

I am so glad that they remain close with one another. I am glad that they have one another as they embark on a new chapter of their lives.

We’re going to miss you.

Dad’s going to miss his football “kaki” – who’s going to stay awake and cheer with him at 3am? Who’s going to commiserate and discuss team tactics with him over dinner?

Arrow #3′s going to miss you – who’s going to pick and send her to and fro places? Who’s going to answer when she goes “Kooor”? She won’t have to book her time slot to go on the computer anymore.

Even Kakak shed some tears as you walked out the door – she has a son about your age too.

My babies are grown. (see The Hinge, EADotcom, Big Mmmmomma and Personality DiSCovery for old, old  photos)

j1d105

24The LORD bless you, and keep you:

25The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

26The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give youpeace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Thanks, Apple

07/04/2009

Apple.

We asked her to come by our house to take some photos. She’s got this special camera and takes good shots. We figured it might be years before we get together again for a family photo.

So yesterday she did.

This is the outdoor shot. Apart from us squinting a bit in the morning sun, I thought this was nice.  Back row, Left to Right, Arrow #2, Arrow #1, Foster son, Arrow #3. chenclan

This is the indoor shot. We sat on the stairs. A little dark, but otherwise good. Apparently it was hard to adjust because I am too fair compared to the rest of them!

chenclan021And now you have seen me and my clan.

Thanks Apple!

Trying to Go in Peace

04/04/2009

I went on a trip. (I mean a journey. Not the chemically-induced trip!)

Along the way, I had to go and do what comes naturally. Different places use different phrases to try to describe this essential part of life – Doing the numbers one or two; Sitting on the throne; Spending a penny are some of the more delicate phrases used.

However you want to put it, essentially all living things need to do this – they have to excrete waste products at the end of their alimentary circuit. And I was no different, being in case you havent realised human myself (in case you hadn’t noticed).

Anyway, so I went down this corridor.

toilet01Seemed nice enough.

I entered a clean, brightly lit room. Even nicer.

Then I encountered this, this, THIS thing!

toilet02Don’t let it fool you. It might LOOK like an ordinary toilet, but it isn’t!

It is one of those new fangled inventions – the dreaded self-flushing toilet!

I am certain there are many who love such a creation. Imagine never having to touch the toilet handle were others have touched before. That would be a clean freak’s dream come true.

Whoever invented this version however, is not only Clean Freak’s friend – also Speedy Gonzales’ friend!

Before I continue, let me assure you that I am not a “long-term” visitor to such places. I repeat, I am not.

But try telling this contraption!

Folks, while I was trying my best to do what a gal has to do, this over-enthusiastic THING flushed on me! No, not once. Not even twice! It flushed THREE times before I could even complete my job!

Now you see why I had to take a photo of it!

Just beware if you head south of West Malaysia, close to the border. It lives there………….


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