1.1.2013

An hour to go before we herald in the New Year. Phew. It’s been such a big year, both for the family and myself.

2012 started with such a big bang, there was Jo and HC’s wedding, Kaka’s arrival. There were a few months of turmoil, then everything settled down. I hit a turning point in my career. We got engaged. Jo and I visited Jan, Andy and Kaka in London. And now, there’s baby Tristan.

2013 will be a milestone year. I hope things will go well but I already know it won’t be easy. But I will face it head on with lots of optimism I promise.My new year resolution is to be contented and to find the simple pleasures in life be it a cup of good coffee, or reading stories to my niece and nephew.

So here’s wishing everyone lots of happiness and luck for 2013 , Happy New Year folks 🙂

Say hi to baby Tristan

I have a brand new nephew!

Say hi to Jo and Tristan 🙂

They are home just in time for Christmas. It’s going to be a very merry Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone, 2013 will be fantastic

Y(^____^)Y

Baby baby

Jo has been in labour all weekend and is now in hospital (o____O). This is both exciting but extremely nervewrecking at the same time. I’ve been jittery all afternoon since her waters broke . So far it has been nothing like the movies where everything seems to move really quickly , unfortunately, Jo and HC’s baby is snug as a bug and not willing to budge so far.

It all seemed relatively quiet on Friday, Jo, R and I had even indulged in some Thursday night Christmas shopping and she was in good spirits. I cooked some ang chow chicken (with black fungus and mushrooms) with my homemade foochow wine and ang chow residue.  Jo really liked this dish so I will making this for her again during her confinement period.

Then she started getting contractions and this continued all weekend. We were going to cancel the steamboat gathering (also belated birthday celebration for Gerry and Wendy and welcome party for HC’s mum) but Jo wanted it to go ahead so it was a quick and relaxing one. I’m not sure Jo enjoyed it much during the end, I will always remember huffing and puffing with her at the couch. Contractions are not fun at all and I have a newfound respect for all mothers.

The papa-to-be cracking open a durian for Jo, it’s really weird that Jo has been craving durians especially since she never used to like durians at all when they were plentiful in Kuching! This very expensive frozen durian was unfortunately not good at all (-___-).

Sigh. I really want baby to be out and for the whole family to be safe, healthy and happy. Please. Please. Please. Please.

Just received message from HC, Jo is fully dilated now and baby is coming soon. I think my heart is about to stop. Please pray for my sister and her baby. Thank you.

Velvet Friday

It was my first day off in ages!

Jo and I headed into the city, it was a perfect day, the weather was gorgeous and sunny.

Guess where we went for coffee? My favourite Velvet 🙂 🙂 🙂

My companion for the day, the very soon mum-to-be with her signature V sign.

No coffee for the pregnant lady but it was the best coffee that I’ve had in goodness know how long. I miss Velvet coffees so much.

Since HC’s office was in the vicnity, we ‘tapao-ed’ a Velvet coffee for my fellow coffee friend.

Outdoor market in the city, stalls were set up selling handmade trinkets.

Deck with halls with boughs of holly fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. Christmas in London Court.

Saturday night dinner at Happy Star Noodle House in Myaree. We had spinach with century egg and salted egg,  homemade tofu, pan fried tooth fish and braised pork belly with yam. The pork belly was a bit overpowering for us, but everything else was light and tasty.

I finally succumbed and bought a new phone!

Just so that I can receive daily Kaka photos again 🙂 Happy.

Ang Chow Mee Suah

Most relaxing weekend in a long while.

Weekend coffees with my HC my fellow coffee friend. HC is also R’s fellow DIY friend. And both lovers of ang chow too 🙂

Steak night at the Hog’s Breath Cafe.

Baked kuih bingka. I stuffed up this one because I was exhausted after a long night at work and messed up my measurements. Baking tired is not recommended.

Foochow mee sua! The quality was obviously not as good as the original noodles that we get from Sibu but beggars can’t be choosers :).

Foochow angchow chicken soup mee suah with mushrooms and hard boiled egg. It was not bad or at least the boys had no complaints, my angchow wasn’t strong or fragrant enough but I shall do better at my second attempt at making foochow red wine.