R.I.P my dear friend, Pauline (1972-2009)

My dear friend, Pauline has passed away on Tuesday (12/8) due to her brain stem are damaged.

She was Yum Cha and alive last Sunday, and this Sunday is her funeral.....only within one week, everything has been different...Gosh!!!! life is really fragile.......VERY SAD!!!!!Is time to say Good bye to my dear friend.... It's very hard for all of us to accept it. Why god wanted you to leave us so early. You din even talk to us before you leave... How dare you let Ken and Bel to face all of this. Bel is only 4 years old, how she gonna live the rest of her life without a mom....how Ken gonna face all of this??? Your mom already loss your younger sister few years ago now she loss another daughter... how she can handle these????

Pls bless Ken and Bel... Ken, pls stay strong! Bel needs you to raise her to honor Pauline's life! I will always remember the great times we had together. You will always lives in my heart till we meet again. I love you Pauline.

There is nothing I can do at this stage, I have made you a clip to let everyone to remember those great memories we had together:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxQwlAxJ-Vk

Sweet Potatoe Steamed Bun

One of my favourite. It's easy to get this kinda bun in M'sia but not here though. You need a lot of patient and energy to knead them. I love when the bun still hot.

Chiffon Cake again - Orange this time

I can't help myself not baking any chiffon cake... I am just falling in love with it. The reason I love Chiffon because it is so fluffy and not rich.

Sesame Chiffon Cake

This is my 3rd attemp. The hardest part to bake a Chiffon Cake is beating the egg white. You can try varitey flovour like Orange, Green Tea etc...While I am cleaning, James almost fnished half of the cake already. recipe from http://www.christinesrecipes.com/2009/08/green-tea-chiffon-cake.html

Hand Teared Chicken-手撕雞

I learned this " hand teared chicken" from " so far so good - Ah So". It is pretty easy and of couse it is delicious. 跟住阿蘇整GE手撕雞~~好好味~~~

New update

Have not been updated for awhile. I have been busy for Kate's classes. She goes to a Parent and Child Development Program - 3 days a week for 3 hours a day. She is doing good in the class so far. There are 15 students total, only 2 out of 15 did not cry when the parents and the kids separated. Kate is one of them. I did not expect she would adopt to the new environment so quick. I am so proud of her. I am worried the program won't accept us after we come back for 1 month vocation. Well, there is nothing I can do much about it....

I am getting excited.. another week, I will be back to M'sia. Looking forward to meeting my family, some relatives and friends.

Aids Walk

We joined Aids Walk 2009 this year. Total is 6 miles. We had a great time there. The weather was pretty o.k. Kate was in the stroller most of the time.. she walked like only 1 mile I guess.. hahaha. We have seen some "funny" pepople too LOL. I guess this is something special about San Francisco.

2nd Project - Cross Stitching

I've finished the mix veggies... Finally!

树欲静而风不息，子欲养而亲不在

I learned this from James. It means " when you wish to spend time with your parents but they are already gone" I am writing this topic because I read my dearest cousin brother, Jerry's blog today... I was touched the way he expressed how much he missed his dad ( my 2nd Uncle). When I heard the bad news for the very first time, I was upset but did not cry at all. When I read his blog today, I was in tears. I emailed him once for his loss. The reason I did not write much because I knew he's tough and strong no matter what had happened to him. Life will still go on without anyone but best memories will always on our mind. Only time will ease the pain. May "2 pek" rest in peace!

Going Home

I am counting down to go back to M'sia... How days to go ??? 63 more days... Before go back to M'sia , we will go to Vegas with 2 friends. We will go back for a month this time, James is gonna miss Kate so bad. I've got so many things to do when I go back. And of course I will eat all my favourite food too. Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Rojak, Curry Mee.... etc... I am so excited to see my parents, nephews and some relatives . My friend, Grace will go to K.L and meet us up. Hopefully can meet my brother in Macau. The last time my parents saw Kate was one year ago, they missed her so much. Kate always say " I love you poh poh on the phone".

Cheap Guy

Among our friends, one of them is so so cheap. I've never seen any one like him. We supposed to have BBQ this Saturday ( July 4th). I am the organizer so I sent the invitation to each family for the food preparation to the BBQ. One of the guys, he supposed to prepare burger. As soon as he received the invitation, he told me to take care the veggies, bread and ketchup for him, he will only bring the burger ( ground beef). Besieds that, he asked if I could get him the ground beef from Costco... WTF, it means I take care everything for him and he just bring his wife and 2 kids to the party. And one thing made me very pissed off was he invited another family without telling us and split the bill with him. In other word, he just bring burger and can have someone to share the cost with him. After I found out he's so cheap, I told him I won't help him to get anything, he takes care his own part. And we decided to split the bills at the end of the BBQ. I know there's some cheap ppl around us, but never thought would be " that cheap"

Cross Stitching

I've done cross stitching when I was in elementary school before. My mom's good in sewing and doing art work. She used to sew alot of clothing for me when I was little. Unfortunately , I did not manage to get her "artistry" gene. My friend, Grace sent me the cross stitch kit for Kate's 2nd Bday. What a thoughtful gift! I spent 4 weeks to complete the whole thing. I know it took me awhile hahaha.

Father's Day!

This Sunday is Father's Day. I decided to bring Kate to a clay studio to get daddy something. We got him a photo frame. Kate really enjoyed painting the frame. Hopefully will give daddy a surprise this week.

Vegetables Farm in Gilroy

We went to my friend, Ivy's father in-law vegetables farm last Saturday for BBQ. It was fun down there. The last time we went there was 3 years ago. First time we brought Kate to the farm. She seemed enjoy it. It reminds me when I was young, we always played around with some other kids from the neighbourhood which we don't do that in the city nowsaday.

The best thing is James and Kate's picking some vegetables from the farm themselves. Kate managed to experience it. The owner so nice to us, they gave us alot of fresh veggies. We will be vegetarians for this week though.

To have or have not

James and I have been discussing about this issue for awhile. Do we want another kid? He 100% sure he wants one more no matter girl or boy. Of course he does, he does not have to go through those morning sickness, sleepless nights and contraction pains. As for me... I am 50% yes. I am not worried about those physical stress. The reason I don't wish is I don't want to split my love from Kate and if I have 2nd one life won't be easy for me at least another 3 year... I talked to my mom this, she told me do not have to worry about that , she will have someone to come over to the States to help me out if she won't be able to help me. I am so touched * Thanks mom* My mom knew I was not being taken care right after my delivery. She wants me to take good care of my body if I have 2nd one. My mom is the best , I could not ask more.

I know I need to make this decision ASAP because my biological clock is ticking :P Gosh...Yes or No???

Academy of Science

We joined the Academy of Science Museum recently. The fees is very reasonable and tax deductable. The museum was reopen after years of planning. Kate enjoyed it especially the aquarium. One trip won't be enough, will go there again since we got annual membership.

馬拉糕-Ma Lai Go

I made 馬拉糕 today... A lot of people thought 馬拉糕 was found in M'sia. No!!! It's not. The reason they named 馬拉糕 because of the color. While I am writing, it reminds me some friends here asked me if M'sia has " gong tao 降头"? I feel insulted whenever someone asked me that question. Normally I answered with " what century now? you still believe it? please study more....". But James told me to answer them " Yes, I know how to do that " gong tao", don't mess with me :P".. Another thing I want to mention is I hate people called us M'sia girl 馬拉mui... I think they should be explored the world more to improve their geography knowledge... No matter how I explained to them that 馬拉mui are those native M'sian not me " M'sian Chinese", they seemed not understand that....Katak di bawah tempurung" all I can describe them hahaha...

Thanks

I got this bag from James yesterday.. Kate's more happier than me LOL... Thanks James!

William So - 蘇永康

Recently my friend got me a copy of William So's " So I Sing 08" DVD... Love it (*****). Escpecially this 黑色禮服 ...Sometime I wonder why ppl always care about what he had done wrong before and never care how much talents he got... He got arrested few years ago due to a drug issue if I am not misteken. Since then, his career was totally gone... and his marriage too.

In case, you have not listened to it yet. Here is the link:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJgkQVH3qCE

Back to Bay Area

After got back from L.A...Kate's not feeling well. Doc said she caught a cold, gave her some medicine. She is getting better now. The temperature in L.A was like 45c, even though I was raised in M'sia but I just could not stand the hot weather there. Feel much better in Bay Area. Kate seemed not really interested in Disneyland, perhaps she's too young for that...Will bring her there again when she is 4 or 5 years old.

Hollywood and Santa Monica

We did not mange to take a lot of pictures in Hollywood.. Kate was cranky because of the hot hot weather.

We had a great dinner at Santa Monica.. It was cold during night time. We just walked around for 20 mins.

Santa Brabara

It is very nice city with beautiful beach. Leaving to L.A tomorrow morning. Good night!!!

Salvang

We were in Danish Village, Salvang this morning. It's a very historical town. We did not spend much time there, just walk around the main street and take some pictures.

April

Is Easter this coming Sunday! April is memorable month to me. Time files... Kate will be 2 year-old next week. She was born on the 19th of April. I remember 2 years ago, James was busy during this time for tax season. He always told Kate (in my tummy), baby don't come out yet... wait till daddy finish his work first. Kate's really a good girl. She waited till daddy finished his work. I had my first contraction right on the 17th. ( Normally the dead line is April 15th but for year 2007, the last day was 17th due to 15th fell on Sunday.). James did not catch any good sleeps at all because that night I kept disturbing him. We went to see my OBGYN on the 18th but she said my contraction was not intense enough so she wanted me to go back and rest. I admitted on the 19th morning due to the contraction was intense and 5 mins apart. I had high blood pressure so they induced my labor. Kate was born after 16 hours in delivery room with pains.

My beloved grand-ma passed away few days before Kate was born. Unfortunately, I did not manage to see her or talk to her before she leaves us. She was a vegetarian and a holly Buddhism follower as far as I could recall. My mom told me my grand-ma had done alot of charity works when she was alive so the temple in Thailand build a small temple in her name. I am very pround of her. I will tell Kate about my grand-ma, how she contributed to the society and what she had done.

Unconditional Love

I received an email from a friend that her daughter has been diagnosed with Anemia.
I was upset when i read her email. I totally understand how she feels now because one year ago Kate was diagnosed with low blood pressure and doc said she might has some kinda tummy problem. During that time, I was so depressed. I'd been crying and kept blaming myself why would this happen to my girl. Being parents are not easy ....If I could choose, I rather the sick person was me not her. I could not sleep and eat well. I did alot of researches to find a best way to help her. Thank god that my parents came to visit us that time. My life would not be easier without my parents presence that time. My mom gave me so much support in terms of physically,mentally and spiritually. After being a mom, I learn how to love my parents. The love from parents is unconditional. They love us no matter what have we done wrong. They don't care how much the payoff from us. They just want us be happy and healthy. I wanted to tell how much I missed and loved them when they were here but I just could not open my mouth to say that.. maybe we were raised without the " I Love You" environment. I wish I could spend more time with them as they are getting older...I love you, Pa and Ma.

Cheesecake Again....

I think I must be addicted to baking cheesecake.... I've been baking 3 cakes in 3 days... So far, this is the best. This recipe without butter. The texture and the appearance of the cake is good.

Japanese Cheesecake

I tried to bake Japanese Cheesecake today..The result was not really good. It's too moisture, not easy for me to slice them. Hopefully it would better after I put in the fridge.

2nd day...

The first one I made yesterday turned out was not good in appearance but tastes o.k. I could not sleep well last night coz I could not wait to make another one this morning :P Thank God - it turned out " GREAT"!!!! Kate & James loves it...Even though not really cheesy but very fluffy and not rich at all.

Bro, I will make you one when you come this year...PROMISE! Will post the recipe here after I converted them from Chinese to English... here they are..

Ingredients︰
Flour -60 g
Cornstarch -20 g
Egg White - 4 + 40g Sugar
Egg Yolk - 4 + 20g Sugar

Kraft Cheese - 4 pcs
Milk - 80G
Unsalted Butter - 60g

Instructions :
1. Preheat Oven- 160 C / 320 F (Add hot water to baking try) 焗盆加熱水。
2. 4Egg White + 40g Sugar ( Beat till foamy)用電動打蛋機打至企身。
3. 4Egg Yolk + 20g Sugar ( Beat till light yellow)用手打至淡黃色。
4. Sieve 60g Flour and 20g Cornstarch 篩好麵粉及粟米粉。
5. 4 Kraft Cheese + 80g Milk + 60g Butter ( Heat till melted) 一同隔水煮熔 。
6. Mix (2)+(3), then (4), and (5) stir well，Bake 30 mins

Kate and Mini Shopping Cart

We went to this Organic food store " Trader Joe's" this morning. There is something Kate is very fascinating of - " Mini Shopping Cart" every time she goes. She puts the banana into the cart. When she pushes the shopping cart around the store, few customers there look at her and say she is so cute.

Ginger Milk "Keong Chap Chong Nai"

Recently I've learned how to make this " Ginger Milk". It is pretty easy.... Minced the ginger then squeeze the juice. Boil the milk ( whole milk) with sugar. Rest for 4 mins then pour the milk into the ginger juice. It's nice having this dessert during winter time. It could make you feel warmer.

My Home

My home is very simple. We don't have many furnitures. The shelf is new, I am still looking for some nice stuff to put on it. Apple Green is my all time favourite... can't live without that color :P