Bye bye "Otota"

Eversince William was born...

... he and jie jie Victoria and cousin Theodore loved to sit in Yeh Yeh's Toyota Innova.  At the time when he was learning how to talk, he'd fondly call Yeh Yeh's car and Gong Gong's car (coincidently both from the same Japanese manufacturer), the "O-to-ta". 

Both my kids think highly of the Otota cars, and excitedly choose to ride in the Otota over our continental cars.  But it's time to say bye bye to Yeh Yeh's Otota, to make way for another Otota but this time without the third row seats. 

Sweet memories of clambering to the last row, fighting over who gets to sit at the last row, singing songs from and squeezing in chummy with Yeh Yeh in the last row...

Bye Bye O-to-ta Innova... till we meet again, maybe on the road one day. 

William's Drawings

Here are more pictures of William's drawings. For every piece that he draws, there's a least 5-10 other drafts or similar pieces. I'm collecting everything in a box, but wish there's a way to preserve them in a better way.

Top:  His drawings of two bears (the left bear is a female - look closely and you will notice why)
Bottom:  His favourite character from Cars 2, Finn McMissle

Left:  His version of Angry Bird
Top Right:  He loves sharks, all kinds but his favourite is Mako Shark because it's the fastest
Bottom Right:  Another Finn McMissle. 

  

Top:  A house with many windows
Bottom:  His many layered rocket with fire coming out from the bottom.  That's Astronaut William flying it

Inspired by the floor mat, here's another lady bird picture

One of his latest rocket drawings. I like the cute human he drew with the long play-doh legs.  He says that's him.  

And this, my friends... is THE ULTIMATE.  He caught me by surprise there, one afternoon he was coloring the truck on the right.  He didn't seem very attentive, running around in between and then asking me to color the tyres for him.  So I did that.  He colored the rest.  The sister contributed only the little patch of brown soil on the left and the few strands of green grass.  In the evening I was picking up pieces of paper from my coffee table, and then I saw this drawing on the right.

It was William's very own drawing - copied from the colored picture and I admired his eye for details.  I'm amazed.  When I was 4yo, I couldn't draw at all.  And hubby's artistic streaks?  Well, he laughs at his own drawing, that's all I can say. 

And this is what he likes to do too... despite my faint warnings. 
William - getting too playful and pushing his boundaries.  

Sports Day at Victoria's School

Last Saturday we were up early at 630am, in preparation for Vic's school Sport's Day. I was surprised that Vic woke up early too, without any prompting from us. I guess it's just sheer excitement!

Our little girl was participating in a team competition, each member having to cradle two balls the size of a 3/4 football - one ball under each armpit. Then race to the other group of team members, passing it to him or her.

We reached the school at 730am - all 6 of us - Daddy, Mummy, William, Popo and Gong Gong. We headed straight to the Red House tent, registered her presence with the teacher in charge, and then Vic sat with her friends (on the sandy ground). Then we went to book our places at the limited seats under the tent put up for guests and parents.

Red House

Vic with her classmates - they all participated in the same game

The event started sharp at 8am, with many more guests flowing in but preferring to stand around along the parameters of the field or near the Color Houses tent.

Everything was conducted in Mandarin - a foreign language to me. A speech by the Headmaster, followed by another chap, then Negaraku (I note that as my dad and I were singing softly, we started to notice no one else was singing - so much for patriotism, or maybe many people have forgotten the lyrics?) followed by the school song, and then some marching by the 5 teams according to their Color Houses, and the "Badan Beruniform" and lastly, a group of children who looked less than 10 years cycling on a mono-cycle.

The Standard One pupils' was second on the agenda, as I was informed by her tuition teacher who was also involved in the Sports Day.  We watch some older students race in the 100m race.

The weather by then, around 930am, was getting warmer and the sun shinning into the Headmaster's Tent opposite the field.  : )

Not understanding the announcements, Daddy went to check on Vic and came back to report she and her teammates have left the tent.  So I hurried over to see if I can catch a glimpse of her, then seeing some parents going into the barricades to see their own children, I joined them.  A boy who was guarding the barricade stopped me but I pretended not to understand him.  As I continued walking, another boy jumped in front of me and said in his foreign language that I'm not to move any further.  So I obediently detoured to the sides, joining some other parents busy photographing their own kids.

After I detected that the coast is clear, I sneaked deeper in and caught sight of Vic.  Thank goodness for her classmate who is rather big!

Vic's team came in 3rd and she joined us later proudly showing her bronze medal!  Each participants received a food coupon which after collecting, she generously gave the muffin to William.

With Popo Gong Gong

Bravo Vic!

And bravo to William for enduring the whole event without much fuss - thank goodness for handphone games too! He was totally uninterested in whatever that was happening out in the field.

We left around 1030am after a short tour to the school canteen (also to redeem her food coupon) and her classroom. I let Vic skip her Art Class that day.

William sings...

This little entertainer never fails to make me smile. See how he points a handgun at you while singing... Enjoy!!

The idiotic foreigner that I have to put up with!

Be warned that I'm writing this post out of anger, because I think I've just had enough of her nonsense.  It's my house, my home, my territory and the frustrating part is that I have to put up with her childish, ungrateful behaviour. 

And I'm not talking about my little princess.  Obviously, it is the maid - the foreigner in my house, that we've been treating so kindly over the past 2 years.

Of course during these 2 years she was not an angel, and we've had bad days, putting up with her long papaya face, tempers and rude responses, or lack of.  I tolerate her monthly pms moods and have almost gotten used to her non-response when I speak to her, or the other extreme - a response so disrespectful that if I was her mother, I'd have slapped her without hesitation.

Now before you jump to conclusion that I abuse or enslave my maid, or mistreat her in anyway, let me say that this No.5 is the best treated so far!  Like all previous maids, she have her own room, own IKEA bed, new mattress, two bedsheets and bath towels and numerous clothes to wear (but she keeps them to bring home, I guess since she rotates only between a handful), above other things she gets to eat sweets to satisfy her cravings, and her purchases for new jeans, watch, hair accessories and lately a pair of ear rings (to show off to her country folks when she goes back) have all been approved without hesitation. 

Yet we don't pamper her.  Work is work.  Rest when needed, even I suggest she takes the hour off if I know the night before she's slept late.

But I'm sick and tired of her rudeness!  So many times I bear with it, when I react, when I tell her off, when I try to reason things, the only response I get from her is a defensive rebuttal followed by angry words from her and a whole week of cold shoulder.  It's as if I owe her a living, WHEN I FRIGGIN' DON'T!

Yes, I have compassion for her country, for the poor folks and the condition she grow up in.  But I am disgusted with her ungrateful behaviour, thinking that she deserve all these and more!  There are girls out there who are forced into prostitution, girls who end up with bad employers who starve and beat them or worse, rape them, or maids who have to sleep on the floor, eat little and work two shifts but this maid of mine, she's never seen any of those.  She goes around seeing all the nice friends we have and seeing all the nice houses and malls and she thinks she's getting a bad deal.  For goodness sake, she's got close to 20% pay rise for her 3rd year extension and she dared to ask me for more in negotiation for her 4th year!

That I can pay, if she is a good worker.  But after two years, her cooking has not improved, and she's almost killed off my skinny-looking bongsai, amongst other things and that's not even what I hold against her.  If a person can't cook, that person can't cook.  Just like not everyone can draw, or do public speaking.  But to be so filled with pride, refusing to improve or utter a world of apology when wrong, or shouts back at her employer?

Recent case

We've tolerated with her forgetfulness and for those serious times, we adviced her eventhough she gave us a deaf ear and retorted back.

It all started when she lost our food containers in church last Sunday (and best part is, she enjoyed banana leaf rice after church without even thinking of the containers) and only realised them on Tuesday.  All these while, I'm amazed how she can NOT remember, since she was the one in charge of holding the paper bag with the containers, and she doing the washing, did not realise at home that she did not wash the containers.

When she highlighted this to me, I told her to check hubby's car in the evening, which she did, but DID NOT TELL ME that it was not there.  I guess she's thinking she can hide her mistake, hoping I'd forget.  But shame on her, after 2 years living me, she's not learnt that I've got elephant memory and not one to cheat on.  So I questioned her, and asked her why she didn't inform me.  Not an apology.  Not any remorse.  She just walked off.

I swallowed that anger that morning.  But she pulled a face so long it can even mop my floor the whole day, and the next day!  She either deliberately or not, forgot things she'd been doing routinely, leaving traces of work behind, half hearted work and when I highlight these to her, another black face, and oh, the tempers she throw - slamming the doors, making noises with, throwing things on the floor and a loud sigh - how I wish I have a camera to video all that for your entertainment!

This afternoon I came home and saw she's planted the Japanese roses where I told her to, and not wanting to throw the original shrubs away, I told her to plant them at the front fence parameter.  Our friend planted them so "out" it looked so awkward like in the middle of my garden, really she has no green fingers I know and no aesthetic ideas.  So I told her to plant where I showed her, and her unwillingness got the better of me.  So I said, forget it, and just plant it along the cement parameter in the shade... cut the long story short, as I walked in, I hear her grumble loudly, so loud I can hear her still when I was in the living room!  I went out to ask her, "Excuse me, what did you say?" and she continued her mumbled something about me not making up my mind!

What the?!!  She's totally disillusioned.  That's my garden.  And I changed my mind because she did a bad job in the front, moreover I told her that she's got the shade now so what's the big deal?!  Afterall, it wasn't like she did a whole row and felt her effort wasted, she merely planted 3 little plants and now the temper!  I pity her parents and even her future husband, if she ever marry.

To say I'm angry is a total understatement!  If our country is not in such a bad shape now, I'd given her the boot and say good riddance.  And if you must know, if not because I have kids and need an extra pair of hands and eye, I'd not want a foreigner putting me at her mercy in my very own home! 

My two new kitchen toys

Another kitchen helper - the Philips Air Fryer

Sometime in March this year, I bought the Philips Air Fryer after being introduced to it through a friend.  I was attracted to the "no oil" or "80% less fat" that this machine can miraculously churn out delicious looking and great tasting foods as per what I saw in some private reviews on the internet.

My friend bought hers for over a thousand ringgit from Jusco, and that was also the best deal around in Malaysia at that time, as the departmental store offered some member discounts and vouchers.  The price elsewhere, is heavily controlled by the manufacturer.  So I went to Jusco to enquire, and my luck has it that they were in the midst of their sales which qualifies me for the same promotion.  However, I didn't like the color which was white and lavender.  My friend had informed me that the air fryer came in a sleek black too, and I fell in love with it (in black) after looking at it from the internet.  I had my dad and cousin checked out the Jusco stores up north in Ipoh and down south in Seremban but their search for a blackie turned out to be nil. 

Facebook is great when a status update can link me to friends who gave their reviews and a friend in Singapore offered to purchase one for me - in black - for only SGD349 (as it was on promotion) and she was able to bring it back for me during her trip back then.  So I accepted her offer, and father in law helped me pick up my brand new toy and paid her on my behalf.

I gave this baby its own place next to my microwave

But my excitement for deliciously air-fried dishes, eating fried drumsticks and what-have-yous without guilt seem to be rather densed - and I suspect if others can write great reviews with their air fryers, then it has to be a user issue and not a product issue.

The pork chops come out too dry and the fried fish - don't even go there.  But credit given where due... the fried beancurd dipped in just a tablespoon of oil and Himalayan salt was a pleasant surprise, and the chicken chop is one on the top of its resume and the kids love the air-fried brinjals.  The air fryer does very well for nuggets and chips that you buy from the frozen section - just dunk the frozen bits into the basket and in 10 minutes time, you get nice crunchy nuggets or chips minus the oil!  Of course, I modified that a little with a tablespoon of oil just to give it more taste.

I've tried air-frying bacon streaks with this fler too, and they turned out ok but not 100% crunchy like what you'd get if you throw them into the wok, and I'm sure you can do the same with sausages too.

Sorry no mouth-watering, stomach-grumbling pictures, haha... 


Latest kid on the block - the Alpha Juicer DA900

As for the Alpha Juicer DA900 now I've been dilly dallying on this purchase for close to 3 months.  During these 3 months, I've been looking out for reviews over the internet, but there aren't many besides the webpage about Juicing For Health that got me interested to this machine.  However, the lady didn't seem keen to close the deal, maybe business is too good for her or she thinks that I'm "one of those customers who wish to have but no money to buy" because I asked her for further discounts.  : )

Oh well.  Her lost, because I ended up with a slightly cheaper price, yet enjoying the member discount having purchased directly from the company.  My family is not hardcore juicers but convinced that this machine does have many plus points ie quality juice without oxidization (you see this very commonly in juices from restaurants when the apple juice turn brown very quickly and served with a lot of foam), 20% more juice yield and drier pulp, plus this baby can grind and mince. 

It boast about making your own peanut butter jam, almond milk, soya milk, pasta and noodles, mincing meat, shallots and garlic amongst others.  Being a single geared masticating juicer, it runs on a very quiet motor of 80rpm that is also under 20 years warranty... yes 20 years!  By that time, if I hand down this baby to my Victoria, it'd probably still be under warranty, can you believe that?!!  Haha... everything else besides the motor is under 5 years warranty, and it is Made In Korea. 

Now the reason why it's not heavily reviewed over the net, I believe is because the Alpha Juicer is known as the Vitalmax in some countries. 

And what have I done with this new toy so far?  It's been around less than a month, and so far, I've made almond milk in 3 batches with it, grounded flaxseed (the conventional blender does a more refine job here) and rolled oats with it, made apple, carrot, tomato and vegetable juices (a brilliant idea is to juice the vegetable stems since we don't like to eat them) and green noodles. 

Looks pleasant but taste weird with the organic wholemeal flour.  Need to look for semolina flour instead

For the fruit and vegetables juices, I have nothing but praise for this machine as it does live up to its expectations.  But it didn't do a good job in grinding my fennel seeds and flaxseeds to powder form that I wanted.  The almond milk was pretty easy to make, no squeezing or cheesecloth needed as I only need to grind the nuts, then mix with boiled water, then juice them and voila... we have a cup of healthy, preservative-free almond milk!

Deskinned almond nuts.  Soak them overnight.  Peeling the skin is "easy peasy lemon squeezy" (quoting my kids) as they even helped me with this.

Home made almond milk - ready to drink.  You can be adventurous by adding a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla essence and sugar for a more complete taste, or even drink it on its own

I recalled my first encounter with tomatoes in the form of juice was on an airline.  It tasted horrible and from then on I was never keen on tomato juice.  But this time, I gave it a second chance because if I didn't like it, there's always hubby to down it... hehehe... but I surprise myself... the juice tasted sweet and palatable and the texture was just like smoothie.  Best served cold.  William loved it too. 

So that's it about this new toy... cleaning it is no hassle, taking less than 5 minutes (what the reviews say is so true) and my only complain?  I still have to keep my trusty old conventional blender to blend my seeds and spices. 

I'm not much of a cook, but sure nice having some helpers in the kitchen.  When Vic is well, I'm definitely gonna be more adventurous with these toys.  Looking forward...

Her love language

In my recent session at a Parenting Course by Niki and Sila Lee, we talked about our children's love language and how we can fill up their emotional tank by identifying their love language.  There are five categories - touch (hugs and kisses), words (affirming and assuring), time, presents (need not be material, but something that means alot to them) and kind actions. 

For Victoria, I noticed that her love language has been consistent over the years, and they are kind actions, time and presents but not necessarily in this order.

Love Language - Kind actions

First scenario

Two weekends ago, Vic wanted to prepare me some snack for teatime.  So I suggested a slice of bread.  This little girl excitedly took out all the ingredients and told me not to look.  I didn't, and went on my work.  Soon she told me to close my eyes which I did, and then presented me with a plate of a bread sliced into halved (to make the square eyes) and a lining of what looked like raisins to create a smiley mouth and nose.

She asked if she could have one raisin, and I gave it to her before I took a bite of the bread.  Suddenly Vic gave a squirmy face and spit out pieces of the raisin.  I thought the raisin went bad, and quickly took one to taste myself.  It tasted sourish and weird!  Eeeeeeeuuu!!!   I took another look at the little black stuff on my plate and asked Vic where she took them from, because they did looked a little too smooth skin for raisins.

She then brought out the remaining packet of my preserved black beans and we both had a really good laugh!!!  Hahahaha... she had mistaken my preserved black beans for raisins!

Second scenario

One morning, I was rushing for time and yet baking her a special experimental salmon filling bread, Vic offered to help.  So I told her to prepare a slice of bread for me with kaya spread.  I emphasized and reminded her that I only wanted ONE slice as I didn't have the luxury of time.  She assured me that she will keep to the brief but told me not to look.  I was hoping she was not up to any surprises again, because I really needed to just gobble my breakfast down, finish my baking then rush off to pick William.

True to her word, she prepared me ONE slice of bread with the kaya spread that I requested, but also stuffed in pumpkin seeds and raisins and whatnots in between.  Oh dear... I had to really munch and crunch and chew on that one slice of bread.

So my conclusion... she love me greatly!  She's creative in her own ways, and follows daddy in his show of love for me in this aspect, because she and hubby tend to overdo a simple gesture.   


Love Language - Time

Vic adores her Daddy-Victoria day out even if it's just half an hour to pick up some groceries, or like her recent trip with Daddy to the barber's which she also had her fringe trimmed.  Unfortunately we don't do this regularly but only as and when we can.  I guess she just want to have a parent all to herself without William or anyone else.  With me, she enjoys a trip out to tapau food and I noticed how happy she was whenever she can join me at the shopping mall, just she and me.


Love Language - Presents

And of course, which child at her age would not like presents?  William does, but not as crazy over them as his sister.  He doesn't get all excited over party packs like the sister (who would announce and open them the moment she gets into the car) and Vic used to, and continues to like buying little surprises.

There are so many memories of her buying a bun, or an ice cream, or a packet drink, or burger for me, since she was younger and remember her first purchase with her first pocket money this year? She bought an eraser for Daddy and a ruler for William.

The way a child shows love and care to others is normally how she would like to be loved back in return.  I find this so true here, as Vic also likes to receive little gifts and surprises from us.  These may not be material or expensive, but just to a gesture to show her that we were thinking of her.  Of course, my natural worry is if this love language will result in materialism in the little girl, but the course says it's all about balancing the other love language.

So there!  I got the first steps now, which are identifying Vic's love language, the next step is to use them to refill her emotional tank.