He jumped into the water and refuse to get out after the agreed 15mins of fun.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Swimming 2011 Month#2 Lesson#3
We couldn't make it early today for the swim in the smaller pool coz we were unable to get a cab. Waited for 15 mins before we were able to hop onto a cab, by the time we reach the pool, its already lesson time.
Little DinoEgg is still not going into the water on his own, still need Coach R to pull him down by the board. After a few times, Coach R did some thing smart. He pretend to pull him down but in fact only touching the board and Little DinoEgg went into the water. The next round when Little DinoEgg waits for him to pull him down, Coach R told him off "U come down yourself. Its the same whether I pull you down or u come down yourself!", refuse to help him this time. Little DinoEgg has got no choice but to go into the water on his own.
Little DinoEgg is still not going into the water on his own, still need Coach R to pull him down by the board. After a few times, Coach R did some thing smart. He pretend to pull him down but in fact only touching the board and Little DinoEgg went into the water. The next round when Little DinoEgg waits for him to pull him down, Coach R told him off "U come down yourself. Its the same whether I pull you down or u come down yourself!", refuse to help him this time. Little DinoEgg has got no choice but to go into the water on his own.
Bravo!
Still need Coach to swim besides himAfter a few rounds of swimming with board n practicing blowing bubbles, Coach got him to swim without board. He gets into the water without any hesitation.
Lastly Coach R teach him free style again. Instead of doing 1 pull of one arm, he wanted him to do with both his arms. He did it beautifully, not perfect but acceptable, but he forgot to kick when he moves his arms.
Class ended with him doing 4 pulls =) Off he went dashing to the smaller pool.
Class ended with him doing 4 pulls =) Off he went dashing to the smaller pool.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Braised Pork Belly
Daddy is a "meat person", I'm a veggie lover. I always try to cook some meaty dish for him but recently ran out of idea. Then I thought why not cook a simple braised some-kinda-meat dish.
Ingredients:
* 500g pork belly cleaned
* 1 star anise
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 1 piece of galangal (blue ginger), about thumb size, cleaned
* 6 cloves garlic, bruised but with skin on
* 2 tablespoon soya sauce
* 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
* 2 tablespoon dark soya sauce
* 3 tablespoon honey
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 2 cups hot water
* 2 tablespoon canola oil (or vegetable oil)
Method:
1. Marinate the pork belly with 1 teaspoon soya sauce, 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon dark soya sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar.
2. Allow this to stand at room temperature for at least half an hour.
3. Add the oil into a shallow non stick pot, once the oil is hot, sear the pork on all sides. Once it is browned…remove from pot and slice. (about ½ inch thick)
4. Add the remaining soya sauces, oyster sauce, honey, sugar into the 2 cups of hot water. Stir till everything is dissolved.
5. Add the star anise, cinnamon, garlic and galangal into the pot.
6. Turn up the heat to high, add the dark liquid mixture into the pot and allow this to come to a boil.
7. Add the sliced pork pieces in. You can add in any other ingredients that you like, such as egg or tua pok (u get the idea). I added a piece of defrozed tofu, cut into small cubes.
8. Once the sauce begins to boil again, lower the heat to a simmer, and allow this to simmer for about two hours, with the lid on.
9. Taste the gravy, if it add more sugar or salt if needed.
10. Serve immediately
Pork Belly - Marinated & seared
I served it at tonight's dinner, daddy was very happy, says its tasty. Even Little DinoEgg love the pork belly.
Frozened Tofu
Daddy's colleague taught us this when we invite them over for steamboat. She says to put the tofu into the freezer, later on take it out n defroze it. When u cut it, you can see that there are alot of "air pockets" inside the tofu. When you throw it into the soup, the tofu will absorb the soup like a tau pok, when you bite into it, the taste will be different. Its really very tasty when we had it during the steamboat so I thought I'd add it into the braised pork belly dish too. I like to use Unicurd's tofu, its very smooth n soft, taste good even if u just put them into the soup.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
$2 tissue
A year plus ago he starts showing up at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station on the exit to Penang Road. Sitting at his wheelchair on the far side of the entrance, his right arm stretched out holding on to the tissue papers, waiting patiently for people to buy them. He never communicates, never open his mouth to ask if any of us want to buy tissue from him. Perhaps its because he think no words are needed since everyone can clearly see that he is handicap, perhaps he couldn't speak clearly due toDuring the year, in my split 30secs from the sec I see him when I emerge from the basement via the escalator till I walked pass him towards the bus stop, I've only seen a handful of ladies who stopped n buy tissue from him, most of them gave $2. I've wanted to help him too but sometimes I don't have $2 in my wallet or just lazy to walk up to him (which only takes 5secs) or sometimes I just plainly play blind. Sometimes I feel guilty after I walked pass him, telling myself that "tomorrow I will buy from him."
That "tomorrow" never really came till today. Took me less then 2secs to get my $2 out from my wallet, passed it to him and took the tissues from him.
Sure feels good to fulfill a promise I made to myself.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Spelling
When I try to teach Little DinoEgg spelling (both English & Chinese), I always face a problem. He only want to spell the words or write the Chinese character once, the most twice. He is good at it, he sound it out when he wasn't sure about it, every time getting it right. He knows the Chinese character's stroke well by heart. If I tell him to do it another time, he will either give a frustrated big sigh before obliging me OR he will keep saying "I don't know how to spell/write." And every Spelling Day night his answer to my question is always "Yes, I know how to spell/write." I am giving him benefit of doubts, since he shows that he knows the words very well.
Today, I have confirmation that he really knows the words, at least for English spelling
Oh, look! There is spelling today! And I did not revise with him. But hey! He got it all correct =) Now I know I do not have to worry much on his English spelling. Lets wait and see how is the result for the Chinese spelling.
Wait wait wait!!! Whats with the mistake in the numbering???
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Swimming 2011 Month#2 Lesson#2
Last week,we were relaxing after dinner, Little DinoEgg told me that he do not want to go swimming any more, he say he doesn't know how to swim. I guess he was having 2nd thoughts after he capsized during class while swimming with 1 board, arms stretched out. Ytd when I told him we are going swimming today he said "Oh No! I don't want to go." I told him that I understand his concerns n worries. I assured him that it will be ok. "How about we go to the pool slightly early so that u can practice swimming in the smaller pool?". He said ok with out any hesitation coz he gets to play with the slides. While my main aim is not so for him to practice swimming (impossible to do that in the small pool with slides n many kids waddling around), most important part is for him to get into the water n play, I do not want him to be afraid of water or reject swimming becoz of the incident.
Anyway, we arrived 15mins early today, he dashes into the water with his board almost immediately. He did swim or try to swim coz its crowded, every one are either running, waddling or walking in the shallow water (the water level is till his hip), while he was kicking water with his board he bumps into some one in a few kicks. When it's time for class, he was abit reluctant to walk over, I have to reassure him that coach is there to help him, its going to be ok, he will not sink etc etc then he went up to the coach.
I watched him closely, wanted to see how he's doing. He was ok with getting into the water n blowing bubbles while holding on to the side of the pool. He was not ok to go into the water with his board. He sat there with his feet in the water, board in his hands, unwilling to move his butt into the water. He wouldn't move even Coach R gave him reassurances. In the end he has to pull him into the water, but he was ok once he hits the water. This went on throughout the lesson. Seems like we are going back to square one, leaping into the water seems to be a challenge to him occasionally. I hope he will grow out of this and gain more confidence soon.
Anyway, we arrived 15mins early today, he dashes into the water with his board almost immediately. He did swim or try to swim coz its crowded, every one are either running, waddling or walking in the shallow water (the water level is till his hip), while he was kicking water with his board he bumps into some one in a few kicks. When it's time for class, he was abit reluctant to walk over, I have to reassure him that coach is there to help him, its going to be ok, he will not sink etc etc then he went up to the coach.
I watched him closely, wanted to see how he's doing. He was ok with getting into the water n blowing bubbles while holding on to the side of the pool. He was not ok to go into the water with his board. He sat there with his feet in the water, board in his hands, unwilling to move his butt into the water. He wouldn't move even Coach R gave him reassurances. In the end he has to pull him into the water, but he was ok once he hits the water. This went on throughout the lesson. Seems like we are going back to square one, leaping into the water seems to be a challenge to him occasionally. I hope he will grow out of this and gain more confidence soon.
Red packet from CoachLittle DinoEgg received a red packet (a gold packet in this case lol) from Coach. Hmm... its a few days late since the CNY ended on 17 Feb 2011 hahaha~ Nevertheless, I'm sure the kids still feel excited when they receive this, I know Little DinoEgg is. Especially he knows there are some yummy goodies inside it instead of boring money. And this Taiwan muah chee is one of his favourite.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Hitched a Ride on Kino Fantasies
Kinokuniya is having store wide discounts again~~ 20%, thats alot! How can I miss this chance of grabbing some books? I roped Catherine in as she also wanted to get some books for Charlotte, especially The Gruffalo book.
I grabbed these books for Little DinoEgg. He wanted the Dragon's Dinner book the minute he see it, so its in our loots. I so love the Chinese books that I grabbed~ I have to start reading Chinese books to Little DinoEgg who still insist on English books though I did suggest Chinese books.
Hope the journey of introducing Chinese books will be a successful one.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dinner with HIHS ladies
I was the 1st one to reach Royal Plaza on Scotts since I am working in town. Chris came out late and she was caught in a police stop just outside Goodwood Park Hotel. She was pretty mad as she was stuck on the same spot for 15mins, apparently there are some big shots in town and police have to stop the traffic to let them go first. Renee was caught in traffic jam too but on the other side. Traffic is crazy as usual.
Me & Chris started first, we seen the spread and can't wait for the other 2 to come. Dun care them already! We finished our 1st round of cold cuts and Renee was here and we went 2nd round of cold cuts & sashimi with her. There is a good selection of cold cuts that consists of mainly alaska crabs, flower crabs, lobsters, oysters, various clams, salmon (1 whole fish!) *yum yum* The sashimi are very fresh, almost melts in your mouth.
We were more interested in the cold cuts, sashimi, the side dishes and desserts. Main course was ok (perhaps we were not tempted by it kekeke), we ate abit just for taste. We were too busy eating that we forgot to take photo of the delicious food! These were the photo which we remember to take BEFORE it ended up in our tummy =)
Oysters, alaska crabs & lobster
Desserts, desserts and more desserts!
And of course, we talk n giggled n giggled n joke n talk n exchange child raising ideas n do silly things n gossip n say funny stuffs n talk n talk.....
We stayed from 7pm till 1030pm. Time just zoom pass while we were having fun n eating good food. Here we are, 4 tummy satisfied ladies who had a great 3 1/2 hours together.
We already have our next gathering on mind since Joanne & Jacqueline was unable to join us today.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Swimming 2011 Month#2 Lesson #1
1st swimming lesson after 2 weeks break!!!!! I'm excited, Little DinoEgg is excited! But I'm also abit worried, not sure how Little DinoEgg will react after such long break. Will he still jumps into the pool without hesitation? Will he be afraid of the water or Coach R (which is most unlikely)??? We reach the swimming pool 15mins early as Little DinoEgg wants to play in the slide area. He took his googles & board, got into the pool n start kicking while holding onto the board. The water level is low and there were many kids running around in the pool but he dun care about them, just happily kicking n moving forward in his slow pace.
When its time for class, I beckon him towards me and we walk over to the corner. He suddenly stopped at his track, pulled my hand n refuse to move. Shy? Scared? Not sure. Coz when I pointed out Coach R to him, he eagerly runs to him n starts calling him way before he reaches. RELIEVE for me. A while later upon Coach R's instruction, he jumped into the water with a big SPLASH~ WOOT!
Another good news, there are only 2 kids in the class; Little DinoEgg and another older boy =) 50% of Coach R's attention.
Its the same routine of blowing bubbles and swimming to the red n white flag, this time Little DinoEgg did it with only 1 board. He jumped in with his board n happily kicking n swimming forward. Later on Coach R teach him the free style, only the hands, breathing techniques shld be at later stage. Well, now I am confident that Little DinoEgg is at least improving otherwise Coach R would not have taught him that. So 1st lesson after 2 weeks break went well.
Was talking to Coach R regarding some fees issues. I feel weird talking to him... Wait wait, hold ur horses! Listen to me before any one of u think towards the wrong direction. I feel weird coz he is wearing a sun glasses with reflective lens... Firstly there was no eye contact (can't even see the shadow of his eyes). Secondly, when I look at the sun glasses (gotta have eye contact right???) I see my own image in clear view, makes me feel like I am talking to myself. Gives me a "I think I'm crazy" feeling at tt moment lol
When its time for class, I beckon him towards me and we walk over to the corner. He suddenly stopped at his track, pulled my hand n refuse to move. Shy? Scared? Not sure. Coz when I pointed out Coach R to him, he eagerly runs to him n starts calling him way before he reaches. RELIEVE for me. A while later upon Coach R's instruction, he jumped into the water with a big SPLASH~ WOOT!
Another good news, there are only 2 kids in the class; Little DinoEgg and another older boy =) 50% of Coach R's attention.
Its the same routine of blowing bubbles and swimming to the red n white flag, this time Little DinoEgg did it with only 1 board. He jumped in with his board n happily kicking n swimming forward. Later on Coach R teach him the free style, only the hands, breathing techniques shld be at later stage. Well, now I am confident that Little DinoEgg is at least improving otherwise Coach R would not have taught him that. So 1st lesson after 2 weeks break went well.
Was talking to Coach R regarding some fees issues. I feel weird talking to him... Wait wait, hold ur horses! Listen to me before any one of u think towards the wrong direction. I feel weird coz he is wearing a sun glasses with reflective lens... Firstly there was no eye contact (can't even see the shadow of his eyes). Secondly, when I look at the sun glasses (gotta have eye contact right???) I see my own image in clear view, makes me feel like I am talking to myself. Gives me a "I think I'm crazy" feeling at tt moment lolTuesday, February 8, 2011
U are the Ass!
Was wondering around Plaza Sin not knowing where or what to have for dinner. Feeling frustrated, I decided to head home. Its rush hours, the train will be packed, I wanted to take a taxi back. However I decided take the train since I am near the station.
It was indeed crowded, I couldn't even get into the middle of the cabin and have to stand near the door :( While more commuters squeeze into the cabin, those already in the cabin was being forced to move back. Initially I felt a finger poking at my lower back. I thought nothing of it, perhaps its just coincidental. When the train stops at the next station, pple are rushing to go out n get on the train. There were a bit of pushing n shuffling which is normal. I was forced backward, I am sure that I did not bumped into the lady behind me OR stepped on her toes or whatever. Why am I so sure? Coz she pushed me away *ggrrrrr*
Then the words "What an asshole" floats into my ears. (Well the usually noisy cabin was exceptionally quiet that day, therefore I hear it very clearly.)
I turned around, looked at that lady and said calmly "I heard that." (She was clearly shocked that I confronted her.)
She shrugs "Well, I just think that people should look behind before they move. I looked before I stepped behind."
"I was pushed." I said in a as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"You should have told him to look behind before he moves back." (She does not dare to look at me in the eye, keeps adverting and looking else where.)
"I know he did not do it intentionally. He has to moved abit to let others out of the train."
"Well, still he should look behind before moving." (Hello, u deaf or wat???)
"As I said, he did not do it intentionally, he was pushed by the other person too."
"Alright, alright..." (eyes looking at her hands)
When the train stopped at the next station, she said a loud EXCUSE ME n got off the train.
So who is the bigger asshole now! PUUTWEEEEE!!!!
It was indeed crowded, I couldn't even get into the middle of the cabin and have to stand near the door :( While more commuters squeeze into the cabin, those already in the cabin was being forced to move back. Initially I felt a finger poking at my lower back. I thought nothing of it, perhaps its just coincidental. When the train stops at the next station, pple are rushing to go out n get on the train. There were a bit of pushing n shuffling which is normal. I was forced backward, I am sure that I did not bumped into the lady behind me OR stepped on her toes or whatever. Why am I so sure? Coz she pushed me away *ggrrrrr*
Then the words "What an asshole" floats into my ears. (Well the usually noisy cabin was exceptionally quiet that day, therefore I hear it very clearly.)
I turned around, looked at that lady and said calmly "I heard that." (She was clearly shocked that I confronted her.)
She shrugs "Well, I just think that people should look behind before they move. I looked before I stepped behind."
"I was pushed." I said in a as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"You should have told him to look behind before he moves back." (She does not dare to look at me in the eye, keeps adverting and looking else where.)
"I know he did not do it intentionally. He has to moved abit to let others out of the train."
"Well, still he should look behind before moving." (Hello, u deaf or wat???)
"As I said, he did not do it intentionally, he was pushed by the other person too."
"Alright, alright..." (eyes looking at her hands)
When the train stopped at the next station, she said a loud EXCUSE ME n got off the train.
So who is the bigger asshole now! PUUTWEEEEE!!!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Gruffalo 2011 - The Play
We missed it last year (so sad!) but we managed to get tickets this year! I asked Catherine along, it wasn't till end December 2010 that I have time to pop by sistic to buy the tickets. I was so afraid that the tickets will be sold out, luck is with me, I managed to grabbed 4 tickets for today's show and with very good seating too! I guess its the CNY weekend so most of the parents are busy visiting relatives or they are out of town. Their Lost My Gain *evil laughter*Today's play is a compilation of both books; The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, but more towards The Gruffalo's Child. The play started with the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's child in the cave getting ready for bed. The Gruffalo told the Gruffalo's child a bed time story about his adventure and how he met the Big Bad Mouse. Ignoring his father's warning, the Gruffalo's Child steps out of the cave with the Stickman to search for the Big Bad Mouse who is terribly strong, his scaly tail is terribly long. His eyes are like pools of terrible fire, and his terrible whiskers are tougher than wire
Along the way the Gruffalo's Child met the snake in his new shimmering skin who is out for a party to celebrate his new skin, he sashayed, cha-chaed n salsaed but ran away when he heard of the Gruffalo, he definitely does not want to become a scrambled snake!
Then came the not-so-wise owl who taught flying lessons n tries to teach the Gruffalo's Child to fly. Of course he can't since he is not a bird, he turned at the not-so-wise owl, wanting to make him into owl ice-cream! The not-so-wise owl escaped after directing the Gruffalo's Child to the Big Bad Mouse's where about.
Last but not least he met the cunning fox who tries to sell him mice! "Two for the price of one!" says the fox. And like all cunning salesmen, the fox tries to con the Gruffalo's Child, but all he wants is to find the Big Bad Mouse. He manages to escape before he becomes roasted fox.
Unable to find the Big Bad Mouse and feeling terribly hungry n scared (even he has the Stickman to accompany him), the Gruffalo's child ran through the deep dark woods in search of the way home. He ran and ran till he bumped into the mouse, feeling hungry, the Gruffalo's child wanted to eat the mouse on a slice of bread. In order to avoid being eaten, the mouse invites the Gruffalo's child to meet the Big Bad Mouse. It then tricks the Gruffalo's child by standing on a tree branch to use the moonlight to enlarge its shadow. The Gruffalo's child flees, believing the shadow to belong to the real 'Big Bad Mouse'.
It was a good play, there were laughter, squealing, screaming, clapping throughout the 60mins, alot of interactions to keep the little audience on their seats n eyes glued to the stage.
Little DinoEgg enjoy it very much, he love the Gruffalo~ I guess with him being older, he can understand the play better and participate when the characters prompt them as compare to earlier years where he will just look on or I will have to move his hands for him. At least he did not say he wants to go home in the midst of the play *grins*
Our next play shall be... ... ... haha~ not sure yet, will keep a look out for some good ones.
Little DinoEgg enjoy it very much, he love the Gruffalo~ I guess with him being older, he can understand the play better and participate when the characters prompt them as compare to earlier years where he will just look on or I will have to move his hands for him. At least he did not say he wants to go home in the midst of the play *grins*
Our next play shall be... ... ... haha~ not sure yet, will keep a look out for some good ones.
Friday, February 4, 2011
DIY Ang Bao Gold Fish
ok so I woke up at 1.45am, that's cause we slept at 8.15pm the previous day. Hey, its a tiring day for all of us, CNY visiting, constant eating, playing, laughing etc etc. So I chased Little DinoEgg to bed even though he is still wide awake and everything. However the minute his head hit the pillow, he's yawning away :P
Anyway~~~~ waking up so early, after surfing the net, I decided to do some "work". Every year I have alot of left over red packets both at home and in the office, I thought "why not make full use of these pretty red packets?" So I search the net and easily found some clear instructions this pretty gold fish.
