To be or not to be

THE house is wafted with scent of fir... Our Christmas tree is finally up. It fits perfectly in the empty corner where the invisible side table is. It's been my dream to have a side table with a beautiful lamp, vase of flowers, some photo frames on it, against a painting or mirror on the wall.. We have not found one that we love and affordable. OK it's not about the side table today... It's about our Douglas Fir tree.

The story of our tree was well illustrated in Marcel's blog. Now, let's hear my version of it titled "Doing the SiewKhee thing".

I know the unspeakable joy of having a real tree, especially more so for Marcel. Being a prudent wife-wannabe, I've had it all planned out (if only you could see my sureness) to get it at great discount days before Christmas like we did last year. Low and behold, all nurseries along Thomson Road decided to cut down their orders simultaneously this year. They were sold out earlier than expected!!! "Penny wise, pound foolish", "Stupid Chinese woman" kept ringing in my head the whole time when I was frantically trying to find a solution - my last resort was to get a fake tree. Poor husband tried to hide his dissapointment because I was in tears and condemned by guilt...

When I found out that Cold Storage Jelita still had stock, I promised myself I would never pull this stunt again in the years to come! BUT I think God is really grooming me into a prudent wife, because the tree was only S$49.90 after 50% discount!! Much cheaper than my original budget. I'm torn now...

My girl friends in A-Z

I wanted to blog about my good friends to tell them I love and treasure them. This is the best I can do… Those who have eyes, let them read…

The All-rounder. She sings, she writes, she cooks (best chef in town), she sews, she’s good with her hands and she’s smart. She’s one whom I call for ALL recipes. She is a survivor.

Miss Big heart. She’s got the biggest heart and compassion beyond comprehension (she donates to busker-uncles DAILY). She’s always ready to help with ANYTHING (from buying diapers to event organizing). She's one whom I would trust to baby-sit MSKJ one day..

The Calmer. She’s always calm and composed. Yelling is not in her dictionary. She remains unrattled in times of trying.

The Dreamer. She not only dreams but she carries out her dreams. She’s an idealist yet versatile. Her life is never dull and always ready to plan the next holiday, gathering, and celebration.

The Etiquetter – She’s the master of all social graces and manners. You’ll never catch her walking and eating simultaneously alive. She’s also the Singapore-version of Martha Stewart who can host beautiful parties to planning a perfect wedding.

Miss Frugal– She’s good with numbers and the person whom we entrust with ‘ang pow’ box at weddings. She’s organized in her money management and a savvy consumer who doesn’t waste her money, time and energy on things she doesn’t need.

The Guy’s girl. She can be any men’s bestfriend because she knows more about football and car racing than any normal guy. She’s humorous and not afraid to make fun of herself to entertain others.

Miss Outspoken. She’s frank and honest. She’s never pretentious and doesn’t hide her feelings. She’s protective over her friends. She lives life to the fullest by swaying in ballrooms to wakeboarding in waters...

Social butterfly. She’s easy going and have tonnes of friends. She has the gift of gap and can help you break the ice in a boring party.

Tough cookie. Independent and strong minded. She knows what she wants and in control of her life. She doesn’t take any nonsense and definitely not afraid of a bully. Her luurve for Chicken Vindaloo is as much as mine...

The vain pot. She’s in denial of her flawless complexion. She knows the best dermatologist in town. She’s positive and contented with her life (other than her complexion). She chooses to look at the bright side of things yet carries a bitch bone in her body. She’s the winner of ‘the most transformed woman after motherhood’.

Walking medical encyclopedia. She knows which doctor to recommend in town . Tell her your symptoms and she would probably be able to diagnose you over the phone with all the medical terms.

Quiet Christmas

IS it me or this year’s Christmas spirit is somewhat overshadowed by the world’s woes? Usually by this time of the year, I would be in a tight spot to choose which party to attend, prioritizing which dinner/ get-together is important. I would have finished shopping for all Christmas presents by now. This year, it feels different. I’ve only got two invites (I’m not dropping hints to be invited please, and I’m still popular, oh you of little faith).

I still have no clue of my menu for the family Christmas lunch that we’re hosting. Presents wise -I’m only about half done.

I know, Christmas is not all about presents and parties but to celebrate Christ. But admittedly, it gives the secular world something to look forward to every year. It's a season of giving and everyone is usually happier, more generous and fatter. But this round, it seems quieter with not much of a falala. My office is the first to see the change- no fancy hampers from Harrods, no Christmas party and lesser incoming goodies too.

Perhaps I should learn to appreciate the beauty of the quietness of this holiday season. Enjoy the peacefulness and count my blessings. Yes.. it's a quiet Christmas but it will be a good one. I'm sure I'll whip up something for the lunch and buy the right presents at the last minute...

*image from etsy.com

Multi-purpose salad

It's suitable for all occasions- quickie dinner, pot luck dish, sandwich fillling and of course, a fast-acting laxative agent to promote vigorous bowel movements. Not to mention, it tastes nice and looks great with the colours.

Ingredients:
Avocado - 1, diced *Choose an avocado that is soft enough to yield under your finger but not soft to leave a mark
Cherry tomatoes -1 box, diced
Garlic - 2 cloves, chopped
Corn kennel - 1 can
Coriander - a few stalks, chopped
Lemon - 1, squeezed juice
Chilli - 1, cut
Salt & pepper

Mix everything and add lemon juice as dressing, salt & pepper to taste. Voila!

Benefit of a fierce face

“Lor cham th’ng” – that’s how I like my Penang Hokkien Mee, ie add some “Lor mee” sauce in the prawn soup. It makes the spicy soup more pungent with herbs, extra savory yet not as sticky as a normal Lor Mee. I think it’s a Penangite thing.

This is my favourite Penang Hokkien Mee from AMK S11 Food Centre, Blk 711, AMK Ave 8, #01-08. The one that I can eat three times a week when Marcel is not around. The snobbish looking vendor raised his eye brows when I first ordered this funky combo but I think he got used to it after my persistent return visits.

I recently found out that not everyone has the privilege to order the funky "lor cham th'ng" combo because my cousin was rudely refused by him when she tried to do the same. Perhaps he caved in to my fierce-looking whole-world-owes-me-money face that could top him, but not my angelic cousin. Haha, never knew that my signature unfriendly-snobbish-look can be so useful.

Surprise sandwich

If Forrest Gump said life is like a box of chocolate, I think Marcel should say “Life is like my wife’s sandwich, you never know what you're gonna get”.
When I'm in the mood, I enjoy spending extra time preparing surprise sandwich for Marcel. It’s called surprise sandwich because he leaves me alone to get the ingredients when we do our groceries while he focuses on other department of the household - detergent, tidbits, toilet rolls. I usually prepare in the morning when he showers or the night before (if it involves cooking) with no interference and don’t reveal what’s inside the sandwich. He needs to find out himself. So the thrill for me lies in the ‘sneaky’ preparation process and imagining his facial expressions of satisfaction when he tastes it. The little things in life…

I'm sane

INSANITY means doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results. The verdict is out. I'm not insane. I can do /eat/listen/watch the same thing, food, music, movie over and over and still enjoy it fully, expecting the same level of satisfaction each time..

I can listen to the same Jacky Cheung or Jay Chou song repeatedly for 1 day or even 1 week. I watched "He is a woman, She is a man" 26 times over the span of 3 years. I can eat Penang Laksa, Perut Ikan, Penang style Chai Boey everyday and be happy.

So this week is a happy week with Penang Laksa (from Jason Penang Cuisine) and 2 days of Penang Chai Boey, thanks to Shih. For those who have not tried, Penang Chai Boey is absolutely different from Sg's . It's sour and tangy cooked from salted vegetables, tamarind, dried chilli and roasted duck/ pork. A common dish in Malaysia after a wedding or CNY reunion dinner where the left over dishes are put together and simmer for hours. I can eat this everyday... Burp.. I still have a container left over in the fridge.