A kitchen is ...

... where women gather to talk, cook and eat,

... where women show their love to the family,

... where lovely smells permeates,

... where some of us go to de-stress,

... a place where wonderful food is dished out

... the heart and soul of a home.


For those who love cooking, it's where all the action is.

When I was young, it was my Mum's domain.

We were allowed in, BUT don't you mess it up or you will be banished forever!!

As a result of that, I rarely ventured into the kitchen to experiment, if I had a choice.

When I lived in New York, my kitchen was mine and mine alone. I spent many hours there churning out food that added to my husband's waistline. He put on a whopping 30 pounds in that span of one year.

Nowadays, I am tempted by my friends' posts of their lovely creations from their kitchens. Much as I want to try them out, I hardly do. Not as much as I would love to. Why? Because of my experience from young. As I live with my in-laws, I try not to intrude into MIL's domain. She loves to cook and always has something on the stove, boiling, steaming, braising ... for dinner. The stove is usually lit. I venture in to cook or bake just like a guest chef does ... only when invited.

Sad, isnt it? How I wish sometimes I had a kitchen to call my own.

This princess is waiting for a castle to call her own.

What's a kitchen to you?

Your favourite Child

Do you have a favourite?

Most parents will say "no".

We try not to have favourites. We try to be fair to all and treat each the same.

That's what I say and try to do too.

But, to be honest: we do love each differently.

My oldest is special to me because she was my first born. She's what you would call a "good girl". Doesnt give me problems. Does her work when she has to, diligent, level headed.

My second, being the only boy is also special in his own way. He is independent, street smart, and oh! so kind when it comes to younger children. He takes very good care of them especially his younger sister.

My youngest is my most precious. Being the youngest, I know she will be my last baby, so she has a special place in my heart. Coupled with her medical problems, we tend to be more careful with her. Also, with her being the youngest, she tends to get picked on by the other two. With the big difference in age, she always on the losing end, be it in games, arguments, etc. I know how she feels coz I went thru all that as a kid, being the youngest in the family. So I tend to help her out a little more. Of course, because of this, the other 2 will complain that I love her more than I do them. WE know that is not true. I love them all. The same.

Like all kids, they always complain that the others are treated "more special" compared to them.

But that's only what they perceive.

We give the necessary attention to the one who needs it most at that particular time. Like when one has a problem or a need, we tend to give it the attention it needs at that time. Of course, to the "problemless" child, we are ignoring them.

So does this create the "problem child" effect? - ie where they act up just to get our attention?

Probably does. But with limited resources such as time, and money, I guess it cant be helped.

I know a friend who regularly has private dates with each child separately just to give them that one-to-one time. Wonderful isnt it??

Unfortunately, that doesnt seem possible for me with 3 kids and a super tight schedule. In fact, I hardly even have time for myself. And that creates the "problem parent" in me. I get grumpy. I feel unloved. I get impatient. I need my ME TIME!!

So do you have a favourite child? I do.

Mine is probably ...

...

...

...

...

...

... ME!! Have a great day!!

To eat or not to eat

With Chinese New Year many of us tend to over-eat.

But lucky for me, I did not. In fact, I hardly snacked this CNY.

I have yet to have any kueh baulu (Very similar to madeleines in taste), love letters (or kueh kapit as it is known in Malaysia), and lots of other traditional goodies that normally appear during CNY.

Why? Because I am a afraid of putting on weight.

But did you notice that the less you eat, the more weight you gain?

When I was younger, I used to eat like "nobody's business", and yet I couldnt put on weight. In fact I was underweight then. My cousins on the other hand, ate very little, and were fat!! I probably ate 3 times what they did. Then I couldnt understand why the weight gain simply refused to materialise. I thought how unfortunate I was. How I used to wish then that I was fatter.

Now the tide has changed. I eat very little and still the waistline keeps increasing. For someone who has been underweight most of my life, I never thought I would see the day where I would wear clothes sized Large. *Cringe*

It's probably the slowing of my metabolic rate with age.

How I wish it wasn't. I wish I could go back to the days of eating and eating and yet remain slim. Some of us just can never be satisfied.

Well, I'm off to satisfy that hunger of mine, and indulge in those goodies I have yet to eat. And hopefully, the more I eat, the skinnier I will get!!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Today marks the start of a new year in the Chinese calendar.

This year is the year of the Snake.

Wishing one and all A Blessed and Prosperous Lunar New Year!!

Are you a scary mum?

My youngest was telling me about her friends who like me. They think I am friendly and fun.

But she said: If they were me, they wouldn't like you, coz you are a scary mum!

"How am I scary?" I asked her.

She replied: You shout, you scream and you scold me.

She went on to add : The best Mums are always are our friends mums. They are always nice to us.

"But of course!" I said, "We cant go around scolding other people's children, can we?"

I think there are some Mums that are always so loving and patient with their children. I know of a few. But I was surprised one day when one of my friends who I thought fell into that category posted on her facebook page: My daughter thinks I am scary!!

Never would I have imagined it. She's one of the sweetest, most patient mum I have met. And yet her daughter thinks she is scary. SCARY isn't it?

So are you a scary mum? Go ask your kids. Chances are they will say "Yes". If they say "no", give them a big. big hug, coz they are the most sensitive kids and they just don't want to hurt your feelings. Haha!

Kudos to Some teachers!!

Yes, we should give credit when credit is due.

To the wonderful teachers my daughter has this year, I thank them!!

It started in December. Due to my daughter's medical problems, I usually touch base with her form teacher and the year's level custodian before the start of the new year.

When I called the school in December, I was told to leave my name and number. I wasnt expecting a call from the level custodian at all but she called me back within an hour of me leaving a message for her teacher to call me back. She told me she would brief her teachers accordingly. She also gave me the form teacher's name and email address.


As I was busy that day, I did not get around to messaging the form teacher until much later that day. And within an hour of my email message to her, she responded. She also added that the level custodian had already briefed her on my daughter's case.

How efficient can they be??

On the first day of school, I went in with my daughter. We went in early, as first days are usually chaotic affairs in all schools. We were there before 7 and we went straight to her classroom. And, we saw a lady just about to leave her classroom.

It was her form teacher personally checking that everything in the class was in order before the children came in!!

We dont see that happening very often. Many a times, teachers leave it to the school support staff to take care of all these matters. But here was one doing it herself!! And before 7am!!

On the first day of school, she gave each child a letter to bring home to their parents. This letter introduced herself as well as the other teachers. She laid out her expectations from the children and specifically stated the manner in which we were to help the children. In it she too gave us her contact details, including her personal mobile phone number, for us to contact her as and when required or if we have any queries.

This, I must say, is very brave of her, for I know of parents who abuse this information. They would be calling the teachers non-stop over trivial matters. For that I truly salute her, and I hope the parents of the children in my daughter's class would not abuse this privilege.

This teacher was on compassionate leave last week, and during that period, she never failed to update the class blog despite her absence from school.

Just this morning, my daughter informed me of something which I would require her form teacher's assistance. I sent her an email at 6am. She responded at 6.44am promising to attend to it!!

Amazing, isnt she??

We absolutely need teachers like this!! Totally Dedicated!!