MummyMOO

Nyonya Curry A La Moo in 30 minutes!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Yes, you read that right.

Now you can fool everyone into thinking that you have spent the better part of the day in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove and pounding your neighbours crazy with your mortar and pestle, when in fact the only thing you've been crushing are candies.

Let Jamie do the hard work for you.

The older folks would probably baulk at his methods, but who can afford to be a Stepford wife these days?

Cooking is therapeutic for me, and growing up watching my Granny cook has somehow made me associate cooking with good, comforting memories. Even though I love to cook, as a working Mum, I find it can be quite challenging to attempt to whip up a meal from scratch after a long hard day at work. I don't cook often enough these days, because I would much rather spend the extra precious time with the family.

We're fortunate to have my mother-in-law cook daily for us, and being of Peranakan descent, you can be sure that we're always well fed! The Peranakans are noted for their fussy palates, and it is said that a nonya can determine the culinary skill of a new daughter-in-law simply by listening to her preparing spice mix with a mortar. Fortunately, she's a modern matriach... otherwise DaddyMoo would not have such a wonderful wife! (Truth. He won't ~~dare~~ disagree)

Now that I have Jamie Oliver helping me in the kitchen, I can actually start cooking again without compromising too much family time!

Unboxing the Dude

Not styrofoam!! Green is in, honey!

Right now you're probably thinking: So bulky and cumbersome!! which was exactly what I thought when I opened the box.

I feel like a surgeon!! I'm holding the scalpel, by the way.

Actually, it was just the box and packaging that was bulky. When I deconstructed the contents, there were just the attachments and tools which usually comes with a food processor.

Figuring out what makes him blitz

So there I was, feeling rather overwhelmed by all the shiny stuff. I decided to ask the hubs to meet this new man in my life, because me and gadgets don't get along.

He looked at all the items, and put it together in less than 5 minutes. I was amazed (I suspect he was quite proud to be able to 'show off' to me) and told him I already gave up the moment I opened the instructions manual. He looked at it, and told me: "Women all over the world will find it difficult to put this together because they always refer to instruction manuals. It's actually very simple. Insert, fix and click. Always in a clockwise manner."

So our advice is - ignore that manual with the diagrams which need a magnifying glass to view. It was definitely not designed by Jamie who likes to keep things simple.

The attachments

Adjustable slicing disc for thin to thick slices (1mm - 7mm)
Reversible shredding disc (fine or coarse)

Stainless steel chopping knife for chopping, cutting, mashing and mincing
Kneading tool for mixing dough and batter
Serrated knife for quick frozen deserts (yes! you can make sorbets and ice-cream, too!)

Metal double balloon beater for egg whites and cream (whipping and whisking)

Citrus press for pressing fresh juice

He's actually got everything covered! Now if only the machine also puts kids to bed...

Ok - let's get down to business!

Dancing with the Dude

I decided to test him out with a recipe from my mum-in-law because I've always enjoyed her chicken curry. She was more than happy to give it to me, because Peranakans (and Indonesians) are big on keeping traditions alive. The Nyonya version of the chicken curry (also called Curry Kapitan) is sweet with onion and fragrant with fresh spices. It's also dry, like rendang, unlike the regular curry with gravy adapted in other cultures.

Nyonya Curry A La Moo

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves 4 adults

Ingredients

4 whole Buah Keras (Candlenut) - you can substitute this with almonds or macadamia nuts.
2 stalks of Serai (Lemongrass), sliced - remove the hard outer layer first.
3 slices of Lengkuas (Galangal)
15 whole Shallots
2 cloves of Garlic
3 tablespoons of Curry powder - this can either be pre-made and stored, or bought off the shelf.
Red Chilli pepper (optional)
Chilli Padi (optional)
Quarter cup of water

1 whole chicken, cut into parts.
1 cup coconut milk
5 Potatoes, cut in halves.
3 pieces of Kaffir Lime Leaves - can be purchased from the wet market. Please substitute with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice if you can't find any.
10 pieces of Curry Leaves - most supermarkets sell these.
Vegetable oil for frying. Do not use any oils which are naturally flavoured as this will affect the taste.
Salt to taste
Sugar to taste
Water

Directions

I cheated and bought whole chicken which has already been pre-cut at the supermarket.

While I was preparing the ingredients, I put the potatoes to boil, and drained them out while they were half cooked. I then soaked them in cold water to stop the cooking process. We don't want mashed potato curry!

Back in the olden days, pounding these will make a woman out of a girl.

Put the ingredients in Section A in the food processor, except for the curry powder and water. Blitz on #2 setting till it's almost finely chopped, then put the curry powder and water in.

Jamie cooks curry, too!

When the blitzing is done, the paste should look like this.

I would totally fail as a prospective daughter in law back in the olden days! Imagine having to pound the ingredients till it becomes this... because Jamie wasn't born yet.

Heat the oil, and put in the paste when it's semi-hot. If you wait till the oil is super hot, chances are you will be suffocated by the pungent fumes when spice meets oil, not to mention oil will splatter everywhere! Saute till fragrant. Make sure that you control the fire, so as to avoid burning the spice. If it's even slightly burnt, you have to start all over again, because it will affect the taste of the curry.

Add in the chicken, and make sure all pieces are evenly coated. Add in a cup of water, along with the kaffir lime leaves and curry leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes, before putting in the coconut milk. If you prefer it to be 'rich and creamy', add more.

"Cook, little wok!" This is my magic curry wok!

Add in salt and sugar to taste. Sugar is used to 'balance' the contrasting flavours and 'bring out' the taste individual ingredients. Put in the parboiled potatoes. The potatoes are not cooked together so that they would not 'disintegrate' during the cooking process while you stir the chicken to make sure that it's cooked evenly.

Leave the chicken to simmer for another 10 minutes, slightly longer if the pieces are larger. If it gets too dry, you can opt to add more water.

Serve with baguette or steamed rice.

That's it! We're done!

Nyonya Curry A La Moo. Curry in a hurry!

***

Keep life simple with the PHILIPS | Jamie Oliver range which includes a food processor (S$268), handblender (S$128) and blender (S$108).

Available at leading electronics and departmental stores.

DISCLAIMER: This review post is part of a series of sponsored conversations between PHILIPS Singapore and MummyMoo. All opinions are based on my personal experience.

The Rationale behind being Rational.

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Some things don't change, no matter what we may go through, or what we have learned as we grow in time.

We can pride ourselves in being smarter, being more discerning, and becoming more knowledgeable, but there are certain aspects about ourselves that we can't seem to change no matter what we have experienced.

Recently I was talking to a friend about a few choices that I've made, things that I've been through... and what I portend as the shape of things to come.

I explained that even as I live and grow, learn through what I have been through... and perhaps even become more cynical day by day, there are certain choices which I've made that I believe will not change if I were to be faced with a similar situation. Even when I know that these choices will eventually turn the tide unfavourably on me. I said that my own personality will not let me choose otherwise, even though I know and understand the consequences of my action. It's simply about being true to myself.

... he said simply, and with a straight face:
"Um... that's not being who you are - that's sheer stupidity, and of you being resistant to changes."

I guess.

Perhaps a lot of people will see it that way. Rationally speaking, one should always learn from one's mistakes... but I'm not a very rational individual. I have never been. I have always let my heart do the talking, more often than not, with disastrous results. It may be said that it's sheer stupidity and stubbornness on my part - but how do we go against our feelings when it comes to matters of the heart?

Can it then be said that if we were to think rationally all the time - we will be truly happy?

For me, every moment of sadness that may come from totally succumbing to that moment of folly when I go with my heart - is part of life's journey. At the end of the day, even if I'm left with nothing, I will still have myself... and the realization that I have tried, I have done all that I could, and stayed true to myself.

I did not compromise.

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A Chinese Wedding: Two red dates and lotus seeds in tea

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 +0000

For the Chinese, perhaps the most important part of a union between two people is the tea ceremony which makes a significant part of the entire day's festivities.

In the olden days, it symbolises the introduction and acceptance of the bride into the groom's family. In modern times, the tea ceremony is observed at both the groom's and bride's family, because gone are the days when a woman, once married, will then 'belong' to her husband's family.

Too bad I ain't got no daughter to pass this on to!

Traditionally, the tea sets are considered 'heirlooms' and are passed down from generation to generation. It is a part of the bride's 'dowry', and will be used again for her own daughter's ceremony.

Sweet tea is served by the newlyweds to the elders in the family, and it is believed to bring happiness and 'sweeten' the relations between the bride and her new in-laws. A common practice is to place lotus seeds and two red dates in the teapot. The words "lotus" and "year," "seed" and "child," and "date" and "early," are homophones, i.e. they have the same sound but different meanings in Chinese. Secondly, the ancient Chinese believed that putting these items in the tea would help the newlyweds' fertility. We had longans (龙眼) added in as well, because the hubs is born in the 'Dragon' (龙) year.

There is a set order as to how the tea is served to the elders, according to the family hierarchy.

parents,
grandparents,
grand-uncles and grand-aunties,
uncles and aunties,
elder brothers and sisters,
elder cousins

However, there are also families that prefer to serve the grandparents tea before the parents. Within each generation, the father's relatives are served before mother's relatives. In traditional families, the young couple is required to serve tea whilst kneeling down. Most modern family only requires them to bow while serving tea. All women should always be either seated or standing on their man's left.

The hubs and I chose to kneel while serving tea to our elders as a mark of respect and gratitude, but we didn't do so for the elder brothers, sisters and cousins (who are married). In fact, we were not allowed to kneel while serving tea to family members of the 'same generation' as advised by the old wise ones - because it would only signify submission instead of respect.

In return for offering tea, we received red packets containing cash, cheques and jewellery. Which totally explained the huge smiles on both our faces!

The wicked grins were due to the heavy red packets, not because I officially became Mrs. Moo.
I know of some brides who insists that everyone call them by their married name even before the celebrations are over!

My side of the family. That's Mum in the main picture with my Uncle.

There's just something absolutely romantic about observing wedding traditions. It reminds me of bygone eras, and for that one day, we were able to experience the rituals that our parents, grandparents and millions of Chinese couples for hundreds of years have gone through.

A connection to the past, in the present, on the first day of our future.

It doesn't get any better than that.

PasarBella: A Farmers' Market in Singapore!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:36:00 +0000

The idea of a food and lifestyle destination all under one roof overseas is not new, but in South East Asia, we are more used to grocery shopping either in supermarkets or the wet market.

When I told the husband that there will be a 'farmers' market' the like of those found in Australia (where he went to Uni), he was all excited. He mentioned that he has always looked forward to shopping for groceries in these markets, because the ambience and people made it a very pleasant experience.

We decided to head down to PasarBella during their soft launch on the first weekend of May.

PasarBella brings together traders based in Singapore, selling their wares from all over the world. Located at The Grandstand and housed in 30,000 sqf of space, it promises to make grocery shopping a brand new experience for the entire family.

From here on, I would let the pictures do the talking, although they are inadequate to capture the true atmosphere. You would just have to drop by for a visit to truly get the vibe.

There are 3 entrances / exits. 'The East End' (facing the race track), 'The Southern Belle' (within the mall) and 'The Westpoint' (facing the open air carpark). They make me feel like I'm entering an era in which the American Deep South's upper class presided.

Seafood

Ginormous offerings from the sea.

Deli

Breads and Sandwiches for brunch, lunch, or a mid afternoon snack.

Flowers

So whimsical, and absolutely picture perfect!

Cakes and Pastries

Pretty offerings, guaranteed to bust any diet!

Salads and Snacks

For the health conscious, or those who bypassed the pastry section without being tempted!

Alcoholic Beverages

DaddyMoo's favourite section.

Fruits and Vegetables

The prices are competitive... and some fruits can be had for a lower price than they are sold at the regular supermarkets! We bought BabyMoo's favourite strawberries (with stem) at $16.00, as compared to $19.00 sold elsewhere!

We also loved the fact that there are ramps where there are steps - so pushing a stroller around is so much easier!

There are also other stores which sell anything from crockery to cutlery to party supplies, so it's truly a one-stop market! View the complete listing of traders here.

We were very lucky to have visited the place a day prior to a feature by The Sunday Times. I was informed that many people had to queue for hours (there was also no parking space) to visit the next day. We will definitely be back, because there's just so many things to ogle at, buy and eat!

PasarBella @ The Grandstand Bukit Timah Singapore
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 6887 0077

Location and Directions

By Car:
Turn left to Turf Club Road from Bukit Timah Road, head straight, and proceed up the ramp to the open-air car park, right on top of the used cars section.

By Train:

The nearest MRT stations are Farrer Road, Holland Village and Botanic Gardens.

By Bus:
The bus services available are 66, 67, 74, 151, 154, 157, 170, 171 and 174.
Alight at B42019: Opposite Sixth Avenue Centre or B42029: After Swiss Club Rd.

By Shuttle Bus:
FREE Shuttle services daily at designated bus stops from Newton MRT (B40181),
7 Botanic Gardens MRT (B41021) and Toa Payoh MRT (B52189)

Please click here for the complete schedule.

Linking up with:

TUESDAY'S TWENTY QUESTIONS: Workaholics Anonymous

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Hard workers experience their work as a necessary and at times, a fulfilling obligation. Workaholics see their work as a hiding place, a form of solace, and a place where they seek safety from life, unwanted feelings and obligatory commitments.

Maybe it's time to take stock of our lives. If you answered "Yes" to 5 or more of these questions, you may be letting work get in the way of life.

***

Hmmm... let's see:

1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?

No.

2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can't?

Yes. Most of the time work's a breeze, but there are times when it's just that little bit more difficult.

3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?

Nope. Sometimes I get nightmares about work, though.

4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?

Depends on who I'm with.

5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?

Yes. Definitely.

6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?
I wish I could.

7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
Yes.

8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?

Yes. I'm usually late. Work has nothing to do with it.

9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?

Yes. If I'm concerned that it HAS to be done a certain way. I would not compromise.

10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?

No.

11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?

Yes. Duh.

12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?

No. At different stages in life, your priorities are different... but I get mad when people don't take their work seriously and work below their abilities and standards. I also don't think much of people who work as a means to an end, and have no pride at what they do.

13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?

No. I won't let that happen. Even if it seems I'm not working hard - I try to work smart.
(Yes - I AM lazy!)

14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?

No.

15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?

I hate to lose.

16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?

Depends on what that 'something else' is.

17. Has your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?

Yep. Too many times.

18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?

Sometimes... I even drive people up the wall!

19. Do you work or read during meals?

At times. When I really have to make full use of every minute I have.

20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?
Material things, yes - but interpersonal relationships, trust, friendship and love can never be measured by money. On the contrary, in fact. Many relationships have been lost because of money.

Don't be confused between being 'hard-working' and being a 'workaholic'. Workaholics value work over any other activity, regardless of the consequences of their preference. There are those who put in long hours, but they don't let work become their way of life - because there are other things which make their life worth living.

Being a Mum is a full time commitment to a (sometimes) thankless vocation. Weirdly, I don't mind being a workaholic when it comes to that!

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Flashback Friday: First Swim

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:06:00 +0000

31 August 2011: 7 months old

BabyMoo gets ready for his first swim experience.

The expression said it all. He HATED the cap, but I loved how it irritated him!

Grooming Moo Wei Hao, the next Ang Peng Siong

Having Mummy holding on to him is so NOT cool.

From that day on, the rest, they say... is history.

If I lived in the 80s (like my Mehmee did!) I would be 'The Boy from Atlantis'.

Contributing to:

Motivation, or Comparison?

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:40:00 +0000

BabyMoo is adjusting well to playgroup and day care, but when I drop him off in the mornings, he sometimes still cries and makes it known that he would rather be with me. The good thing about him (which makes me very proud of the little boy) is that he doesn't cling on to me when I leave him at the school gates in the capable hands of his teacher. He willingly goes to his teacher, sometimes with silent tears as he struggles to fight the sobs which threaten to escape, simply because he has promised me that he would try to always be brave and not cry.

It's hard for me to see him trying to control his emotions every morning, although his teacher has told me repeatedly that he's perfectly fine the moment I disappear from sight.

When he first joined the school in March, there were only two other kids in his age group, one of whom goes home just after lunch time. BabyMoo is basically a very sociable boy, and loves to be around other little people, so the first two weeks was very difficult for him, especially since his only other classmate is very reserved and quiet.

Just recently, 3 other kids (2 girls, and a boy) joined the class.

BabyMoo is a creature of habit, but he is usually very adaptable to change once he ascertains that nothing is taken away from him in the process. He is also extremely protective, and in certain cases - possessive, too. I knew all about the new kids in his class, so last week, I casually asked him if he has new friends in school. He gave me a very enthusiastic answer, and I then mentioned their names as part of our conversation.

He reacted quite strongly when I brought up the boy's name (let's call him JJ). He said: "No, Mehmee, no need." all the while shaking his head and waving his hands to indicate no.

Surprised, I probed further.

I asked him if JJ is nice. He remained silent.
I asked if JJ is his friend. He answered with a vehement: Nope!
Why not? I asked. He just shook his head, and said "Shi (Lao Shi, for his Chinese teacher, who happens to be his favourite person in the entire school) MINE.

Ah, ok. The little Moo is jealous.

I explained to him that the teachers care for all of them, and they have to make sure that everyone is looked after as well. It doesn't mean that just because Lao Shi attends to JJ, she cares for him any less. It also doesn't mean that just because Mummy cannot spend the entire day with him, I love him any less.

He then pointed to himself, and sadly told me: Me Good Boy.

I was, naturally, concerned. I don't want to assume the worst, but I did wonder as to why he reacted the way he did to the new boy. What was it that made him feel it necessary to tell me that he has been good? I tried to quell my thoughts, and told myself that I was overreacting, but knowing my child the way I do, I wasn't entirely comfortable with his reaction.

The next day, I decided to ask his teachers about how he is adjusting to the new kids. His teacher told me that he plays well with them, but would usually either ignore JJ or simply decide to walk away when JJ comes within his 'space'. I delved further into it, and realised that JJ has adapted very well, and has not shown the usual 'separation difficulties' which many kids do. Perhaps the fact that JJ came from an infant care also made it easier for him to ease into the day care option.

Just in that brief 5 minutes of conversation, I had an inkling as to what could be the cause of BabyMoo's reactions toward the other boy. While clearly unintended, perhaps certain comparisons have been made during the course of the day. Maybe it could well be that BabyMoo cried during drop off, and to encourage him to stop, he was told that JJ is not crying, and being a good boy. What was meant to motivate him to follow suit could well have made him feel small.

That night, I spoke to the boy just before he went to bed. I told him I understand that he cries because he misses Mummy and Daddy. It's okay to miss us, because we miss him too, and it doesn't mean that when he cries because he is sad, it does not make him a good boy (I avoid using the word naughty or any negative words as a personal preference). I also mentioned to him that he can play with JJ, so that the hours in the day will pass faster, and before he realises it, he would see us in the evening.

I asked him if he understands me, and that he can make an effort to be friends with JJ.
He nodded, and said 'Kay Mehmee...' (I smile, told him I love him so very much, while inside, my heart breaks)

I don't blame the adults in the school, least of all, his teachers. As adults, our main aim is to motivate the kids, but often, we can come across as making a comparison. The negative vibes are usually grasped by younger kids, who are not discerning enough or have a lack of in-depth understanding of situations.

Picture this. Just this morning - in my efforts to help him ease into the situation, I found myself telling him: "You're a big boy, and you want to show the teachers that you're a good boy as well, right? and in the same breath, before I could stop myself, I found myself saying: JJ doesn't cry, so you cannot cry too, okay?"

I should have slapped myself. There I was, totally aware of how manipulative simple words can be, yet I didn't watch my thoughts... for I allowed them to become words. What was meant to motivate him became a double edged sword, for I was completely guilty of making a comparison. Even though it was not meant to degrade, it sounded very much like I was expecting the kid to prove something, not only for himself - but to the adults around him.

I realised how easy it was to become the very parent which I cautioned myself never to be. I've never agreed with parents who tell their kids that Auntie So and So's kid or Cousin So and So managed to get As, so why not them? I don't think much of parents who push their kids simply for bragging rights, and perhaps just to inflate their egos when their kids are better than the other kids.

I was ashamed of myself, but I could not take back my words.

As parents, we walk that fine line between motivating and comparing each and every day. Words are easy to speak, but sometimes, their echoes are truly endless. I hope to never make that same mistake again.

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Satay By The Bay

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

GrandpaMoo mentioned that he would like to visit the 'new' Satay Club at Gardens by the Bay last week, and so, during the Labour Day holiday, we made our way there.

We read that there is a car park direct at its door steps, but even before we could locate the entrance, we saw the car queue waiting to enter, snaking from just after the East Coast Parkway exit! We decided to join the queue, since we were there anyhow - but after 15 minutes of staying stuck at the same spot, we decided to drive around to see if there are other alternatives.

On a whim, DaddyMoo decided to try our luck parking at Marina Barrage itself. The carpark was also full, but after about 5 minutes of waiting, by a stroke of luck, we managed to get a parking lot!

BabyMoo was all excited to see the kites, and was truly in his element - running about the vast open space, and enjoying the vibe.

"Go Fly Kite!" takes a literal meaning here.

A #failed attempt at 'Sunflare Photography'. Get the actual tips from the pro here.

Birds' Eye View of the Marina Barrage. Lovely view!

Satay by the Bay is accessible via the Marina Barrage, and it is a nice walk along the reservoir to get there. Oh... and parking is free, as opposed to if you were to park at the main carpark leading to it.

It's a short 500m walk from the Marina Barrage to Satay by the Bay, and with such a gorgeous view along the reservoir, I'm not complaining!

We expected a huge crowd, given that it was a Public Holiday after all, but we were not prepared for the chaos and 'disorganised' feel of the entire place. Since the circular layout is such that the main stalls are situated at the 'core' and seating is all around, we were greeted with snaking queues weaving in and out of the seated diners. Add those who were (im)patiently waiting for tables, and you literally have a typical 'marketplace' feel. Perhaps to the tourist, this adds on to the vibe of the place, but I didn't like the jostling and chaos all that much. Add on the satay fumes, stale oil and sweat smells from the numerous people after a day out in the sun, and you have a very frazzled me.

Four of us spread out to try to get a table, and since I gave my mobile to the boy to occupy him while we waited - I couldn't take any photos to document the madness. So I'm going to 'borrow' this photo from their main site, which is no doubt taken in um... more conducive conditions. You've been warned!

Image source: Satay by the Bay

We finally managed to get a quaint little table, reminiscent of the old Satay Club when they were at the Esplanade. BabyMoo loved it, because he felt like he was hosting dinner while we sat at *his* level!

Off we went to scout for food. I ordered BBQ Sting Ray and fried rice for the boy, and while waiting for those, decided to queue for drinks. About 15 minutes later, I held 4 cups of sugarcane juice triumphantly in my tray, and made my way back to our table. Upon checking with the 'Marina Bay Live Seafood Stall', I was informed that the items will take a further 10 minutes.

I decided to let it go, viewing the fact that they seemed overwhelmed with orders, and there was no system in place. Furthermore, for new places, teething problems are bound to happen.

Fortunately, BabyMoo was quite happy with racing cars on my mobile, and didn't fuss much despite the heat. We settled down to our Satay, which the hubs ordered from one of the Malay stalls. Point to note is that there are two satay sections - one of which served by the Chinese, and the other has traditional Malay ones. DaddyMoo ordered from the stall which seems to have the shortest queue, which I suppose would not be what many people would have done.

As for the rice, half an hour later... it.was.still.not.ready. Poor kiddo was hungry, but thankfully, he loved the Satay! After the first tentative bite, he immediately pulled the entire plate toward him and declared loudly: "MINE!"

First time, first bite... oh what tasty morsels are these?

I'm not sure if it's the novelty of eating things off a stick, the hunger, or that he genuinely likes it!

These are quite yummy, like my Mummy!

ONE HOUR later, the fried rice was finally sent to our table. BabyMoo wolved it down, because it was quite palatable, which was fortunate, given the time we had to wait for them to harvest the rice, clean it, steam it and fry it!

Given that BabyMoo loves satay and the entire vibe of the place, I suppose if we ever do visit Satay-by-the-Bay again, we would do so on a non-Public Holiday weekday. Weekends will no doubt see the same crowd, and I'm not brave enough to fight for seats!

The best part of the evening?

Do you know the Satay Man... the Satay Man, the Satay Man? Do you know the Satay Man... whose weapon is a fan?

The satay from 'TOP ONE SATAY' stall which had the least number of people queuing! Our satay came fast and piping hot, were tender and juicy, with just the right hint of spice. Even the mutton ones had no 'distinctive' smell to it, and this was quite amazing because it was not drowned in spice to mask the smell!

We reached at around 6.00pm, and by the time we were finished, it was almost 8.30pm. We took only about 20 minutes to eat - so the rest of the time was spent waiting for a table, queuing for food, queueing for drinks and waiting for food. I think the main problem is that apart from the satay stalls, there is only one stall serving a certain type of food, so there are no options. It's either you wait, or you wait.

I would rather go to Newton Food Centre any day.

Satay By The Bay

18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018952
Neighbourhood: Bayfront

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 - 23:00

Some stalls are open 24 hours.

Getting There:

By MRT or Bus

Via the Circle Line:
Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1)
Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway

Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay

Via the North South / Circle Line:
Alight at Marina Bay MRT Station (NS27/CE2)
Take Exit A and hop onto bus service 400
Alight 4 stops later at the bus stop along Marina Gardens Drive\

By Car

From East Coast Parkway (ECP) heading towards the city:

Take Exit 17A and turn left onto Marina Place
Continue through to Marina Boulevard
Turn left at Marina Gardens Drive

From East Coast Parkway (ECP) heading towards Changi Airport:

Take Exit 17 and turn right into Central Boulevard
Turn right onto Marina Station Road
Turn left onto Marina Street
Follow through onto Marina Boulevard
Turn left at Marina Gardens Drive

Parking

Visitor Centre Basement Car Park:
Capacity: 420 lots
Hours: Opens 5:00am - 2:00am daily
Located via the Main Gate

Parking charges apply

Meadow Open-air Car Park

Capacity: 300 lots
Hours: Opens 5:00am - 2:00am daily
Located via the Meadow Gate

Parking charges apply

Satay by the Bay Open-air Car Park:
Capacity: 138 lots
Hours: Opens 24 hours daily
Located via the Satay by the Bay Gate

Parking charges apply

Marina Barrage Car park

260 Marina Bay Way

Singapore 018976

Hours: Opens 24 hours daily

Free Parking

All you need is Cake

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

When I see friends posting self-made cakes and breads on various social media platforms, I have been tempted so many times to try to bake as well, especially when they mention how easy it is. I find cooking fun – but baking, for me, poses a big challenge.

I think it all came about because when I first tried my hand at baking, I started off on the wrong foot. Now we are all aware that recipes can appear easy, but the little tips and tricks are only known thru trial and error. My cakes always sink, and no matter how hard I try, I never could make egg whites fluff up the way the instructions require them to.

So when I was presented with the opportunity to experience first hand how to bake a Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcake from scratch, I jumped at the chance, because it was an opportunity for me to really learn how to bake. Organised by Munch Ministry as part of Singapore Mom Bloggers’ 1st anniversary celebrations, we headed down to the newly renovated kitchens at the Civil Service Club. I dragged my mum-in-law along, so that she will be able to guide me along when I decide to attempt the cakes on my own in the future!

Our instructors, Pauline and Louisa of Munch Ministry, made baking seem like a walk in the park. They also gave us a few helpful hints and tips, which comes naturally to the seasoned baker, but not to clueless novices like me. They were really patient with us, and literally gave us step by step instructions on how to prepare the mix.

"Whatever it is you do, ladies - please do not attempt to follow what Regina does while trying to bake her cakes."

I never knew, for example, that when the egg yolks are separated from the whites, we must make sure that they are well and truly separated. Even the tiniest drop of yolk will render the whites useless, especially when we are attempting to make a meringue which is the main foundation of a chiffon cake. They also taught us that when working with ingredients, they should always be at room temperature unless stated otherwise.

My mum-in-law, the seasoned baker, also told me that eggs should not be cracked on the side of a bowl, because it may not keep the yolk intact for separation. They should instead be tapped lightly against a flat surface and eased open.

We were supposed to pay attention, but in between the egg whisking and folding in, we couldn't resist a super hiao-poh shot...

See No DIET, Do No DIET, Hear No DIET. Just give us CAKE!!

When we should have been doing this:

See... this is a perfect example of what we should have done!!

Anyways... we then made our way to our respective stations to attempt to do the cakes on our own.

All that whisking will result in toned arms. Bye bye batwings!

Ok, I lied. My MIL and Adeline did most of the work, while I went around on the pretext of taking pictures of all the other ladies who were present.

The gorgeous ladies of SMB. Some prefer to remain anonymous.

...and because I purposely disturbed them while they were trying to concentrate on their work, I received a mummy's warning from Liza.

Hell hath no fury than a woman with broken egg yolks.

I also learnt that whisking the egg whites should only be done after the yolks are done, because otherwise, the meringue will sink. This is especially important in traditional chiffon cakes, so as to ensure that the whites retain their texture and fluffiness and the cakes would not 'sink' when baked. However, the beauty of the Hokkaido cupcake (which has nothing to do with Hokkaido, anyway - apart from the fact that the original recipe calls for Hokkaido milk to be used) is that it is supposed to have 'air holes' in the centre, so that they can be filled with the cream.

So soft and fluffy! Like clouds on a gorgeous blue day. I had to resist licking off the bowl. Some decorum must be practised because the MIL was there.

~~They~~ We managed to finish in good time, no doubt helped by the MIL's seasoned hands. No time was wasted in trying to decipher and make sense of the recipe. I was actually quite awed at how easy it is, and thought that I could manage to bake this on my own, after all!

After the cakes are baked, we placed them on the cooling rack and proceeded to learn how to make the whipped cream and custard filling. One thing to note is that the regular custard which comes in a can and can be bought at regular supermarkets - won't work for this recipe. The one we used is creamy white, and has just the right tinge of sweetness and a slightly 'coarser' texture. The resultant cream filling is rich and creamy, without it being cloyingly sweet nor heavy.

Fresh from the oven!

After that, it was *my* favourite part of the session! I was tasked to fill the cakes with the cream... and that, ladies and gentlemen - I could manage!

I literally stopped breathing the entire time I filled those things!

I was impressed with the results. Baking never seemed this easy - and the ladies from Munch Ministry certainly showed me that it can be done by just about everyone. I got over my 'fear' of baking, because nothing beats practical work as opposed to simply trying to have a Pinterest worthy cake just off a recipe.

I mean, come on - look at this. They taste as good as they look!

Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes, made with love!

My baking partners for the day. I partnered, they baked.
(photo credit: Rachel of Catch Forty Winks)

Here are the ladies of SMB - who baked up a storm on a Saturday morning!

Mabel, Ai, Delphine, Cherie, PC, Estella, Jennifer, Liza, Connie, Klessis, Jiahui, Adeline, Rachel and me!

Thanks once again to Munch Ministry for making this session possible. They have baking and cooking classes every now and then, so do check out their site for more details!

Gone with the Wind

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Ever since I watched Scarlett being swept off her feet by the indomitable Rhett, I've always loved Gone with the Wind.

More than a love story set amidst the American Civil War, it was a movie which made me think. A lot of people have criticised the film due to the supposed 'glorification' of slavery, but I would like to think of it as a factual depiction of the events of the day.

I idolised Scarlett O'Hara. Well... not in the 'sleeping over at airports and screaming every time someone mentions her name' sense, but I was pretty awed by her character. She wasn't a demure girl and she didn't blindly follow the norm. She couldn't care less for the activities which enthralled many girls in those days, while waiting to be betrothed. She was conniving, brash, unyielding and totally fearless. She never placed herself as a damsel in distress (even when she needed help) - instead, she did what she had to do, regardless of the consequences. She lived for the moment.

"Rhett Butler: With enough courage, you can do without a reputation."

In 1939, that line would be considered quite a revolutionary statement. So it's ok to not be bothered by what people think, and if you're courageous enough, you live life according to your rules. Our decision and choices need not be governed by other people's opinions.

It was an eye opening revelation to me, and set the precedence for many decisions I've made in life.

"Rhett Butler: No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how."

I passed them by a few nights ago. They were frozen in time, giving life to an otherwise ordinary roller shutter. It made me stop, mid-stride, and reminisce to the first time I ever saw the movie as a starry eyed teen. Rhett and Scarlett taught me to always seize the moment and take risks, because some opportunities never knock twice.

It was a love story like no other, because not everything in life have happy endings.

Linking up with:

How to be lousy parents... and get away with it!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

The husband and I have decided that we're lousy parents.

a) We don't advocate a regimented lifestyle for the bub.

Ever since BabyMoo was born, we've always gone with the flow on things... we never attempted to put him on a strict routine of bath, bed and feeds. We started him off on 60ml of milk every two hours, which became 80ml every 3 hours from the 2nd week onwards, and then 120ml every 4 hourly. His body clock adjusted on demand, and we learnt to distinguish his cries of discomfort or hunger.

When he turned 4 months, we started him on solids on the PDs advice, and reduced the milk intake accordingly. At 6 months, he was eating breakfast, lunch and dinner (porridge with pumpkin, carrots, fruits) with milk feeds in between - but we fed him on demand.

BabyMoo doesn't have fixed nap times or a bed time either. But whenever he's sleepy, we recognise the signs and help him sleep. At bed time, we create a (sort of) routine for him we call the 3M - Music, massage, milk. But we never instil a fixed time for bed. He plays with us or Granny until he's sleepy, and surprisingly, he will without fail turn to Mummy, lay his head on my shoulder, grab my arms, and perk up at the mention of milk. This happens at around 9.30pm - 10.00pm, and he's usually fast asleep by 10.30pm. When he was able to point things out (apart from jabbing Mummy's eyes, nose and ears) he would ask for milk, his massage lotion after his feed and then point to the TV.

Because TV is not bad enough.

Bath times are at odd hours of the day - he can be so sweaty and sticky that a bath is necessary just before he sleeps (otherwise the fussy boy will toss and turn and be generally uncomfortable), and by the time I pick him up from my MIL's place, we will usually reach home at 9.30pm.

We don't insist and try to make him sleep at a precise hour daily, or create a timetable that he has to follow religiously. We figured that he has the rest of his life to be exposed to a more or less regimented lifestyle, unless we decide to migrate elsewhere.

We are happy, and so is he.

I have such bad parents they think that me falling asleep sitting up is amusing.

b) We feed BabyMoo anything and everything!

(apart from alcohol and spirits on their own.)

Ever since he's able to sit and eat at the table with us (7 months onwards) we aren't averse to feeding him what we eat. He would usually point to Mummy's / Daddy's plate / drink, and we give him a taste of it, within reason, of course.

He's had his share of all kinds of cuisine, from Bread Boules to Duck Rice to Paella... and he's taken well to everything except chicken breast. He has an odd aversion to chicken breast and lean meats in any form, and when I initially tried mixing chicken in his usual pork porridge and carrots previously, he spat it out and swatted away the bowl. Now he's not too bad with chicken, since he discovered the wonderful taste of soya sauce chicken - but will still be able to differentiate between the breast and the upper thigh meat.

Chawan mushi only from Sushi Tei, and nowhere else (we tried!). Eggs were fed to him at 8 months in the form of Omega 3 Egg Tofu because Mummy was clueless and only found out that eggs are only supposed to be fed to baby after they turn one!

But as long as he likes the food, he can have it day in, day out, every day, without any complaints.

Chocolate cakes, ice cream, mousse and puddings. He's able to point out exactly which ice-cream flavour and cake selection off the counter now, and relishes each bite. He sometimes refuses to share his food, and we're constantly reminding him that he HAS to share, and that's another hurdle we have to overcome.

A night cap with Daddy just before bed.

c) We don't hog Baby Changing rooms.

It takes us under a minute to change his diaper now (apart from the times when we are slowed down by the toxic fumes of more 'ornate' diaper changes in the usually ill-equipped changing rooms).

We don't use a changing mat to line the public changer. Now that the bub prefers to be changed standing up, Pull-Ups are a god-send. We've noticed parents who line the changer with a mat or wipe it using almost half of the contents of the wet wipes (80s), use lotion, use powder, etc. I must really admire their diligence in ensuring that their child is not too exposed to germs! :)

Apart from the fact that we have a squirmer and flipper who refuses to lie still during a diaper change, we're so inadequately care-less(?) comparatively. Thank goodness BabyMoo doesn't suffer from diaper rash badly as long as we *remember* to change his diaper every 4 hours - which DaddyMoo proudly proclaims is gotten from his 'cow-hide' attribute.

d) We don't over-sterilise.

While we still observe a measure of hygiene when it comes to BabyMoo (we use baby-friendly washing liquids, detergents, softeners, and DaddyMoo has a little container of washing liquid to wash Baby's utensils in the diaper bag at all times)...

We hardly make it a point to:

wipe down the high chair every time we're presented with one at restaurants unless it's so obviously dirty, in which case we would rather he sits at a regular chair.
we let him go on kiddy rides without wiping down the steering wheel and seat
we sometimes forget to wash his hands before meals (then in lieu of carrying up a seated, comfortable kid looking forward to his meal - I will proceed to wipe his hands with hand and mouth wipes the best I can)
we feed him pretzel, cake, and food morsels on the go after wiping our hands on a wet wipe.
we never mopped our floors with Dettol. BabyMoo is actually smart enough to never attempt to put non-food items in his mouth.

Bringing me to the playground at dusk is their idea of a joke. Serves *them* right if they get eaten alive by mozzies!

DaddyMoo and I believe that when we subject a child to a regimented lifestyle, disallow him things to do, watch and eat, our child will not be as exposed to the outside world as we would prefer him to be. We prefer to educate rather than outright ban, for being the rebels that we both were, we totally understand how the forbidden fruit can sometimes taste the sweetest.

My Mehmee feeds me all sorts of junk just to see if I'm like a regular kid who loves them. Too bad I'm always all out to spite her. She gets so disappointed when I only get off on holding the supposed bad stuff instead of gobbling them!

BabyMoo asks for a certain food. It was given to him. He doesn't like it much... spits it out, and never asks for it again. Not even when he's hungry and that's what Daddy and Mummy are having. He recognises things at first glance, and he remembers what they are called. I think it's amazing that he's able to do this... but I'm his mother and I'm allowed to be biased :)

We're also hoping that BabyMoo would have built up his immunity from having 'dirty' parents. We draw the line at certain things, though... when we come to it.

We definitely aren't the model parents that we should be, but we love our son to bits and pieces and more. We try to give him what we can, the best way we know how, and all our faults aside, we would only wish for the best for our son.

As all parents do.

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow,
yet sometimes we forget that he is someone today."

Has my Mehmee stopped warbling yet?! Wake me up when the babbling ends.

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I like to MOOve it... MOOve it!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

BabyMoo loves to groove to music, and these days, he's into musicals and movies which have catchy tunes.

Needless to say, he absolutely loves Madagascar, which I suppose most kids do!

His favourite character is Gloria, which probably reminds him a lot of Mehmee!!

Spot the difference. The stomach is well hidden, but that would be the dead giveaway.

Happy Friday, and have a fabulous weekend!

Linking up with:

The Cool Parent's Guide to Internet Slang

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:30:00 +0000

When I first saw 'LOL' on a forum thread, back in the 90s, I wondered what it meant. I stared at the screen, for almost a full minute, thinking of what the acronym stands for. I wondered if it was something rude, something bad, or meant to visually scold a person, because it was usually accompanied by an exclamation mark (or two). But I had an inkling that it is an acronym, because it was typed in upper case letters.

I deduced, at that moment, LOL stands for: Lack Of Love.

Then common sense told me that it seems rather far fetched that so many people in that particular thread was accusing one another of suffering from a lack of love - and in that friendly banter... nobody seems to mind that such a notion was even suggested to them.

So I Yahoo-ed (yes, Google wasn't THE main search engine back then) it, and LOL-ed at myself.

It's 2013, and the internet has not only become a source of information, but it has evolved into a communication tool which the young (and some old!) have embraced with fervour. Whilst I don't really care about the abbreviations which the young use while chatting on social media and chat rooms, I realise that getting advanced in years should not be an excuse for use to remain stagnant, ignorant, and not keep up with the times.

I draw the line at using these abbreviations in formal email messages and in blog posts, but admittedly, the knowledge does come in handy when we're responding to chat messages on mobile or on tablet devices. In informal settings, they are an extremely effective way of saving keystrokes - provided that the people whom you are chatting with, understand it as well. Never mind that even though it saves the writer's time, the reader takes more than twice the time to understand what the writer is trying to say!

But saving keystrokes and chatting in (secret groups) is not the main reason why parents should keep up with the times!

Knowing these terms and using it in messages with the kids will totally disarm them - and put you in the 'cool parents' category, after they get over the fact that they can't really keep secrets from mum and dad.

So... to start you off, here is a basic list of the most commonly used internet slang and acronyms. If you come across something (in upper case letters) that is not listed here - chances are they are swear words. Don't be alarmed - it's probably nothing but harmless 'texting'!

Abbreviations are also case sensitive. Here is a complete list of internet slangs and abbreviations from the Slang Dictionary.

Have fun deciphering online messages. Although it may seem overwhelming now, the most wonderful thing I have realised about remembering acronyms is that you can almost always figure out what it means after you've read what it means the first time round!

HTH, TTFN!

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The 'Elitist Mentality'

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I was rather concerned when I read this post on how some people view others purely based on their educational background.

Perhaps what struck me worse than the generalised opinion that the ‘product’ of certain educational institutions are destined for a career in the bottom rungs of the rat race society is the fact that there are some who are ready to write them off as not being able to perform as well as (if not better) than those who have been through the ‘accepted’ norms of higher tertiary education.

Based on this fact alone, if the biasness is already there, do we even take into account their personal characters? Do we discount the fact that everyone are human beings by birthright, and thus, need to build their own characters, so as to survive in society?

Truth be told, this ‘Elitist Mentality’ is one that many people are guilty of, and it doesn’t even need to be nurtured to flourish.

When I was searching for a suitable preschool for the boy, I wasn’t really surprised to note that many people recommended ‘high-end’ ones. One of the most interesting arguments that I have encountered was that a parent chose to enrol the kid in a well-known school simply because there seems to be less chance of her children mixing around with other kids from dubious backgrounds. At that time, when I first heard of this avenue of thought, I wondered out loud to the husband what exactly is the definition of a ‘dubious background’. Are the elite rich (or those who can afford to send their kid to an expensive school) exempt from this select group of people? Does it mean that a rich man’s kid is less likely to engage in fights, and playground bullying? Are they less likely to instigate mischief or create trouble?

The husband, in his usual dismissive way, laughed and said: “I would rather he mixes around with riff-raffs and be exposed to the ‘real’ world, rather than be wrapped up in a bubble of greenbacks, rainbows and roses. It is our duty as parents to then steer him in the right direction, and make sure that while he is aware of the world in all its dirty glory, he does not fall prey to the temptation, and is able to hold his own."

For us, it’s not about protecting him from the world. It’s about teaching him values, and making him understand that while he is taught the virtues of humility and respect, there are others who are not lucky enough to have adults who care enough to teach them what they need to get by. The world is not simply black or white... grey is also a colour.

I’m not arguing the fact that perhaps there are other privileges which these schools are able to provide for in which middle and lower tier ones don’t, but what I find hard to accept is simply the mentality of many parents who enrol their children there NOT because they believe in the methods of foundation learning, but because they feel that it will be a better environment for their children based on the fact that 90% of the students will come from the upper echelons of society, financially. The other 10% cannot really afford it, but they scrimp and save so as to provide their children with the very best, based on what they feel will be best for them.

I’m not going to adopt a ‘holier-than-thou’ stance and claim that I do not worry about how my kid will turn out in the future, and hope that his life partner will be able to at least ‘see’ things from our perspective. It is no secret that certain ‘value systems’ of a family is unique to each unit, and at the risk of sounding elitist, I do believe that in a majority of cases, values differ between one socio- economic level to the next. What I would like to emphasise is that I will not treat or form an opinion about his choice of friends based on their financial backgrounds or educational levels per se. I’m totally fine with someone who shares our values, but have no paperwork to boast of.

The hubs and I work in companies which place great importance on people as individuals, and not simply what they have on paper, so we are totally aware of how some who may have the string of titles behind their names measure up to those who have worked their way up from the bottom. We are all aware that while education forms a basis to an increase in aptitude, knowledge without compassion and humility is simply - a search engine.

Some may argue that an 'elitist mentality' is pretty necessary in this day and age. We are expected to have optimal performance and optimal efforts put into work, play and parenting for optimal results. I have found myself in that trap as well, numerous times, more of my own concerted expectations of myself rather than societal pressures. While I concede that the optimum results can be unattainable, I do try to come as close to it as possible. That said, I do not and will not look down on anybody else who may, perhaps, perform to a lesser degree. After all, expectations are set only on oneself, and there is the all-important clause to take note of: Optimum results, according to whose / what benchmarks?

It doesn't mean that just because a person has humble beginnings, he / she is less privileged and cannot be a person of higher standing in society in the future. It just means that they may just have to try harder because they may not have the little stepping stones which may aid them in their journey. What I cannot understand, is why people seem to already form an impression of a person, simply based on their Alma mater, or by the uniform they wear.

I enrolled BabyMoo in a school based on a number of factors. The accessibility to my in-laws’ place (just in case), the general ‘feel’ I have about the school when I visited it, the teachers, the ratio of students to teachers, it’s mission statement, and the fact that we are comfortable with the school fees. Of course, as parents, we would want our children to have the best, and we are constantly making sure that they have the right 'start up' in life. But is it really necessary to look down on other families who may not be able to accord the same privileges on their children? Worse, do we then view these children as being lesser equipped to handle life?

Ultimately, I think the child education factor still lies heavily on our shoulders, because we are not parents who expect a school to do what parents are supposed to. Our parents disciplined us, taught us right and wrong, and ingrained values in us. School was merely a place where we were taught to read and write, used the values we learnt from our parents to play well with others, formed friendships, and (tried) to not break any rules!

More than anything else, we want to teach our son to be adaptable. We would rather he be street smart and savvy in his everyday dealings, because not everyone is as straight as an arrow. That is something which perhaps even the most elite school is not equipped to handle. It's all good and fine if BabyMoo has a BA, BS, MBA, MD, PhD or MSc, but if he has no heart, humility and compassion, we have failed as his parents. Life goes far beyond society standings and paper qualifications.

I am not going to bother to compete with a person who has the elitist mentality, because chances are, their character is such that they will always find a way to put themselves above me. They will try to make us see that they are bigger, brighter and smarter than us, and will not hesitate to be condescending to us in every available opportunity.

I dread to think that moving forward; we are going to see and encounter more and more of these people, because perhaps, they were brought up that way. With the direction which the society is heading, it is almost quite impossible to change a collective mindset.

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The Journey is the Destination

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Tell me a story of who you are,
and see who I am in the stories I am living.

And together we will remember that each of us always has a choice.

Don't tell me how wonderful things will be... some day.

Show me you can risk being completely at peace,
truly okay with the way things are right now in this moment,
and again in the next and the next and the next...

Show me how you take care of business

without letting business determine who you are.

When the children are fed but still the voices within and around us -

shout that soul's desires have too high a price,

let us remind each other that it is never about the money.

Dance with me in the silence and in the sound of small daily words,

holding neither against me at the end of the day.

I have sent you my invitation,

the note inscribed on the palm of my hand by the fire of living.

Don’t jump up and shout, “Yes, this is what I want! Let’s do it!”

Just stand up quietly and dance with me.

Contributing to:

Write Away

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Even though I've only been blogging for a little over a year, I realised that documenting the little things that make parenting and motherhood worthwhile has been nothing but a wonderful experience.

It's amazing how so many things can happen in such a short span of time - and it's equally wondrous how each and every experience brings us to new levels of consciousness, realizations, and perhaps even make us understand a little more of ourselves.

Looking back through what I've written - across a blank canvas of time and space, I see so many changes, so many things that have happened since I started a few weeks after BabyMoo turned one. Some good, some sad, a cacophony of emotions written across the pages; a reflection of my thoughts, my feelings and all that I have been through since motherhood bestowed its magic on me.

A myriad of colours bound together on the pages of the screen... in a rainbow hue of oranges, blues and greens - some as dark as my moods, some as bright as the summer sky. Rays of colours bound together by a single thread called faith, brought together by people and places that have influenced the start of this wondrous journey.

I would like to think that motherhood simply involves sacrifice, and sacrificing for my child would be easy. To a certain extent, it perhaps is. I may grouse and whine about it, but I don't mind forgoing the sleep, or having to stay up all night just to monitor him when he isn't well. I don't mind not being able to dress up to the nines for social engagements because I would much prefer to pretend-drink and eat the plastic food which the little Moo-chef cooks for me. But sometimes, when I find myself having sacrificed my identity, or when I'm constantly reminded that my life is no longer mine to do as I please, I feel a twinge of sadness.

When that happens, I write. I write about my feelings, and my hopes, and my dreams. They say that a problem shared is a problem halved... and it is true in this instance. Somehow, when I have poured out my thoughts and worries, I tend to be able to see things in a clearer perspective.

I embrace the words that have given me the power to remember events and experiences, feelings and emotions. The anger and sadness which sometimes accompany the challenges faced, and the peals of laughter that have overshadowed the darkness.

I write about love, loving, hurt and despair.
I remember people and faces we've seen, and places we've been.

I love the melody that the memories bring to me.

Today, I look back in awe and wonder at all the colours that have made my life worth living. As I trundle on my journey, your support will help me through the darkest moments, and cheer me on the sunshine days.

So stay with me, won't you?

Linking up with:

Quiche, Küeche, Cake : It's all Savoury Goodness

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Quiche (/ˈ k iː ʃ / keesh) is a savoury, pastry crust dish with a filling of savoury custard with either meat, vegetables, or fish.

It's also perhaps the only type of Western fare which BabyMoo likes. His palate is pure Asian, and he doesn't really fancy pasta or burgers, or potatoes. Give him duck rice, soya sauce chicken rice or thick, hearty meatball and century egg porridge, and he will be a very happy boy.

But Quiche? He loves. Maybe because it's almost similar to steamed egg, which is a predominantly Chinese dish.

Quiche is now considered a classic French dish, but many people aren't aware that it actually originated in Germany, in the medieval kingdom called Lorraine. Quiche is derived from the German word 'Kuchen', meaning cake.

I had a Salmon and Spinach Quiche earlier. Come drool with me.

Linking up with:

Common Sense? Non-sense!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I don't know if it has anything to do with age, but I find myself more accepting somehow - now, more than I ever was before.

I suppose a lot of things in life are learned the hard way, sometimes there are events and situations that we do not seem to see or are able to decipher and understand until we personally go through it. Perhaps in a lot of instances, many of us have been more 'mature' than our counterparts ever since we can remember, but I've come to a point when I realise that a lot of things and solutions are so much easier said than done. It is really simple to see things from a clear perspective and see the most feasible (if not only) solution for the situation... if we weren't the ones going through it.

There have been instances when my advice is sought, and I'm not too proud to admit that at times, I can't help thinking how silly the whole scenario is... or how could it even make sense that the evident way out eludes that particular person. However, I cannot say that I will not be as confused or as irrational as the person concerned if I were in their shoes.

Maybe that's part of the reason why I'm a tad more tolerant now than I ever was before, I always try to give the benefit of the doubt to a whole lot more people, and I tend to treat things that used to irritate me in a great way lightly. I actually learned to laugh at silliness and the total lack of common sense now, instead of getting myself all wired up, irritated, and angered by the sheer stupidity of the person or situation.

I may even be cynical, as some would tend to see it, but that's not an entirely bad thing. How can something that actually makes me a happier and more light hearted person - be that bad?

I find myself more sedate now, it's as though I'm tired of fighting a losing battle with the world. When I was younger, I tend to lose my temper over things that doesn't make sense to me. Things that irritate me simply because I think that it shouldn't have happened in the first place. I get angry with people who don't really know the art of being humble, people who think the whole world of themselves, people who refuse to see reason because they always think that they're right, and people who refuse to learn by observing others - thus limiting their perspectives.

In a nutshell, I had very little patience for things that simply scream of 'stupidity' to me. Not because I think they are stupid, but because things that transpire does not make sense to me. I used to have this way of thinking that goes: "If I can see it, I don't see a reason why you can't."

...and then I realised that what may make sense to me, may not be seen the same way by others. Not by a long shot.

Now I've mellowed out somehow. Or I'd like to think that I have. What would previously get me in a tizzy just makes me walk away shaking my head with a smile, and what used to anger me beyond all reason would just be taken with a pinch of salt. I'm more tolerant and accepting of other people's faults, and even rudeness doesn't get to me as much as it used to.

When I stopped bothering about all these minor little imperfections in life, when I stopped caring so much about how things could've gone if they were done differently... I find myself a happier person.

I don't want to have to keep on changing channels to find a programme that would suit my taste and I would enjoy watching. If I have to, I will watch whatever it is that's showing, and find certain aspects that would make me enjoy it more.

I have only one life. I realized that I cannot always expect things to go the way I expect them to. If I did any longer than I have already wasted my time as it is, I would stop making sense, even to myself.

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Play-Doh Plus: Sweet Shoppe Frosting Fun Bakery Playset (Review andGiveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:30:00 +0000

As a kid, I loved creating things out of the old-fashioned plasticine. Never mind the foul smell, and that it stained my fingers whatever colour I chose to work with. I've long since stopped playing with those, but they held some great memories of play fun growing up!

So when I was presented with the opportunity to try out the new Play Doh compound, I was terribly excited. I'm not sure how the two year old boy will take to it, but now is perhaps a good time as any to try to see if he can exercise the imagination enough to create something out of - well... practically nothing! (The husband will attest to my proficiency in that department!)

The PLAY-DOH Plus Sweet Shoppe FROSTING FUN BAKERY Playset comes with the new Play-Doh Plus compound, which promises a more engaging play due to its softer and more pliant nature. From the attractive packaging, I was excited to note that we can create realistic looking cupcakes and cakes, complete with frosting details. Now all that’s left is to see if I'm able to do so, with BabyMoo's help!

BabyMoo knows Mehmee is hopeless when it comes to setting up stuff that comes in pieces from a box, so because Daddy is not around, he's taken charge!

What's in the box: Playset, 2-piece extruder, shelf, tray, cake stand, turntable, display dome, 4 cake cutters, 4 extruder tips, cupcake liner, cake server, plate, plastic knife, fork, 2 cans of Play-Doh Brand Modeling Compound and 2 cans of Play-Doh Plus compound.

Set-up is pretty easy, because the base itself has the different sized 'holes' to affix the parts. I didn't even need to look at the instructions manual - I just tried to push the domes and parts into the appropriate places!

We put the Play-Doh Plus compound into the syringe-like 'extruder', and push it through so that the 'frosting' comes out through the tips. There are three different extruder tips, so there are 3 different frosting designs to play with. I loved the bright colours and the texture, which made it so easy to mould and shape to whatever we fancy!

What I didn't like, however, was that the extruder was too big (length-wise), and thus we had to use up quite a bit of Play-Doh to get just a few 'strings' of frosting. Furthermore, since it was so soft, most of it got stuck on the sides of the extruder, and even though I tried scraping it off, it crumbled and got stuck onto the floor instead!

I couldn't salvage it, and in the end, had to use a piece of tissue to clean the piece, wasting quite a fair bit of Play-Doh in the process. Since it came only in a 1-oz pack, we were left with practically nothing much for play on another day.

But look what ~~Mummy~~ we made!! I was quite proud of that cupcake, I tell ya! BabyMoo kept wanting to eat it, which just goes to show that part of it being realistic? I have to give it to the people at Hasbro for thinking up of such a delightful product!

Now... for the best part.

I HAVE 2 PLAY-DOH PLUS FROSTING FUN BAKERY PLAYSET FOR 2 LUCKY READERS!

(contest is only open for those residing in Singapore, prizes are to be self-collected)

Simple steps to qualify:

1. SHARE this post via this link on MummyMoo's FB page.
2. Leave a comment on that post, and tag a friend.

Two lucky readers who leave a comment on the post will stand to win a set of Play-Doh Plus Bakery Playset each!

This contest ends on Monday, 22 April 2013, at 0000hrs.

BabyMoo will help Mummy choose the winner!

Good Luck!

***

Disclaimer: We received a set of Play-Doh Plus Sweet Shoppe Frosting Fun Bakery Playset for MummyMoo to play with. All opinions are based on our own experience.

- UPDATE -

BabyMoo shakes the names in the box... and picks 2 names out.

HERE ARE OUR TWO LUCKY READERS!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have won a PLAY-DOH Sweet Shoppe Frosting Fun Bakery Playset each!!

We will contact you shortly for prize collection.

Thank you for participating... and do look out for more awesome giveaways soon!

I'm Instagramming my 'perfect' life. So there.

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

So there was this post which recently made its rounds on social media. In it, the writer mentioned about how so many people seem to be intent on showcasing their lives through Instagram. The resultant 'Envy effect' can perhaps be detrimental to the people who are privy to the photo postings, for they may then be tempted to compare between their world in messy black and white, versus the soft filtered hues of a picture perfect Instagram one.

While I can truly identify with the post in question, I find it quite difficult to totally agree with the points raised. Perhaps it's because the subject(s) of my Instagram photos are those which I hold near and dear to my heart. The intention is not to evoke envy, but to simply showcase a more 'presentable' photo than one simply taken as is. In a picture frame, there would be a certain point of focus, and the crop tool in Instagram makes it so much simpler to draw the viewer's attention to the object. Add a filter to enhance the 'mood', and it's a moment in time captured beautifully. My friend Evelyn, of the BottomsUp Blog, summed it up pretty nicely here, where she shares her thoughts on how Instagram has changed the way she viewed the world.

I am not a photographer, nor do I attempt to pass my images off as such, but since the evolution of Instagram, I have become more aware that we can capture images to tell a story without words. I look through the many beautifully taken photos on my feed, by friends, and also by others whom I follow because their photos move me. They have taught me that there is more to just simply a photo taken in point and shoot mode, and we don't really need a fancy camera to capture wonderful moments which speak for themselves.

While I may never be able to take a picture which will make a photographer sit up and take notice, I am able to still learn to take better pictures. I can explore different angles and capture it in such a way that it touches not only my heart, but hopefully, elicits a visceral feeling in others. Call me a visual narcissist, if you may, but I believe that life is filled with a myriad of fleeting multi coloured moments which are worth remembering.

A photograph starts long before we take the camera out of its case. In the absence of cumbersome equipment, the mobile phone is a device which we can instinctively whip out to capture a passing moment. Without the benefit of a professional camera's add-ons, Instagram is simply a platform to accentuate the raw image so that it will be more visually appealing.

I've mentioned that I don't (and am not able to) take award winning photos, right? Here is a look at how I use Instagram to capture a wonderful moment shared between friends.

Being Instaddicts, we know that the best photos are usually taken in natural light conditions, so after lunch in a pretty dim restaurant with yellow lighting (gasp!) we scouted around for a place with sufficient daylight coming in. Not an easy task given that we were in a Harajuku style shopping centre!

Take 1: Not a bad photo, just that the angle isn't all too flattering for Adeline (The Accidental Mom Blogger) and Liza (Mother of Xander) looks like she's in the midst of labour whilst Jennifer (Dinomama) tries to catch baby before he falls out.

Take 2: By this time, we were laughing so hard that an attempt to take a photo with a non-shaky hand is next to impossible! Fuzzy pic, instagrammed to look like a posterized version!

Take 3: Try taking a photo stifling a laugh. Here we all look constipated. It was made worse by a big group of people approaching where we were taking the silly shots... and trust me, 4 middle aged women trying to look cute in a self taken pic is bound to be accorded with some funny looks.

Take 4: A rather presentable (finally!) photo. Pity the one who got only half her face in the pic! By now, we were all exhausted trying to contain laughter.

After several failed attempts, we finally managed to take a not-too-bad photo.

But Jennifer's nostrils are distracting. So thank goodness for the Instagram crop feature!

Behind that 'perfect life' are countless of mis-shots and NG takes. I don't know about you, but I would rather see a pretty 'polished' photo of us four, rather than the wrinkles, nostrils or birthing techniques! Besides, I think I'm comfortable and contented enough in life to not be envious of others. I choose to take away the positives from Social Media, because there is just so much to what we can learn from others, and life is hard enough without us advocating to one of the 7 deadly sins.

Contributing to:

Philips AVENT Natural Bottle : Review

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:15:00 +0000

I was invited to the launch of the new Philips AVENT Natural Bottle some time back, and to provide a more comprehensive review of the product, I was pleased to be able to have a first hand experience in using the bottles.

The Philips AVENT Natural bottles comes in two sizes - either 9oz (260ml) or 4oz (125ml). Made of 100% BPA free plastic, the new design boasts an ergonomic grip and a twin vent (to minimise the occurrence of colic). There is also a glass version for those who prefer it. I personally feel that glass bottles are heavy and are not too easy to handle, especially since they get extremely hot post-sterilization!

I must confess, I actually chose AVENT bottles previously because I am big on aesthetics (I even opt for credit cards based on their interface!). I like the bottles for its simple and clean design, and since this trait also extends to their entire range, needless to say, I have always had a preference for their products.

Can I say I absolutely love the new bottle design?

It's simple and subtly sexy - with the ergonomic curvature giving it a hint of shapely flair. The bigger bottle fits nicely in my hands, whereas the smaller one can be held by just wrapping the forefinger and the thumb around it. It's made so that little hands are able to get a firmer grip.

What struck me most about this new design is that the teats and the 'top portion' of the bottle is shaped as close to a breast as possible. The new range of bottles has been designed to allow babies make seamless transitions from breast to bottle. Apart from the shape, the teats have 'petals' around it, a familiar feature in their breast pumps. This makes the teat 'anti-colic' as it incorporates a twin-valve system, connected via these petal shapes. Furthermore, due to its shape, I am so pleased to note that the teat doesn't 'collapse' when BabyMoo pushes the bottle closer to his mouth to suckle!

My major pet peeve about the Classic bottles previously was the 'adaptor' ring which was added on to prevent leakage and part of the '2-piece' anti colic system. It was really inconvenient to have to insert the ring onto the ridge around the teat, and then make sure that it fits perfectly onto the bottle. Add a screaming baby into the equation, and you have a recipe for a frazzled mum. It was also a hygiene concern as I had to use my bare hands to fit it in, as using tongs would take me till the next feed.

I was so pleased to note that the new bottles did away with the adaptor ring!

Here is a comparison of the size between the Classic bottle, and the new Natural range. One thing to note is that even though the Natural bottle is compatible with the majority of the Philips AVENT range, it cannot be used (or interchanged) with the Classic bottles. So if you have existing bottles and would like to simply replace the teat, it is not possible since the new ones have a slightly bigger circumference.

The new bottles are taller and slightly wider at the base and top. It has the same capacity as the Classic range.

Another problem I encountered when I used the older bottles (apart from that adaptor ring!) was that there is leakage when the bottle is not twisted on properly. For those who are still on the Classic bottle, what I found worked was to NOT tighten the bottle top too much, weird as it may sound.

With the new bottles, I did not encounter any leakage at all, despite twisting on the top carelessly. It took one turn, and the bottle is sealed perfectly.

As for BabyMoo - the new Natural range seems to agree with him, because using one hand is cooler. He rocked it his way.

***

DISCLAIMER: This review post is part of a series of sponsored conversations between Philips AVENT Singapore and MummyMOO. All opinions are based on our personal experience.

Wordless Wednesday : Slam Dunk!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

BabyMoo has a new love.

"I don't know how tall I am or how much I weigh.

I prefer to remain anonymous,

but I'm like a superhero.

Call me Basketball Boy."

***

Linking up with:

Childcare: One Month On

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

It has been a month since BabyMoo started Playgroup and full-day Childcare, and it's been 4 weeks of revelations, progress and bitter sweet times for all of us.

Making the decision to put him in a childcare was a very emotionally challenging one for me. I wondered if the centre which we have chosen is the best option for him, and inwardly, I had to deal with my own guilt feelings of having to 'farm' him out to people whom I barely knew.

I worried about whether he would have enough to eat, or if the food is to his liking.
I worried about whether he would be attended to when he needs something.
I worried if he would be able to sleep without a familiar face.
I worried about things going wrong.
I worried about everything.

I could not be separated from my mobile for as long as I know that he's there.

I guess it's in a mother's nature to worry... because I know that my Mum never stopped worrying about us. She still does, although her main cause for concern now is her grandson!

One month on, I write this post with a smile, because playgroup and childcare has actually been a very positive influence for BabyMoo. Sure, there are things like separation issues that we have to deal with, but beyond the tears and heart wrenching moments, even that has its positive effects for us.

Communication

I was starting to get concerned when BabyMoo refused to imitate sounds or attempt to 'talk' as he approached his 2nd birthday. He is able to understand instructions or conversations in English, Mandarin, Teochew and Bahasa Indonesia, but he seems loath to try to vocalise even the simplest words. He is perfectly able to - but only when he chooses to, and when it's very necessary.

On the second day of childcare, my sister-in-law commented that he seems to suddenly be talking a lot more. He didn't start off in 'toddler-talk' (dropping consonants or not being able to pronounce certain alphabets) - he simply just began to vocalise his wants and needs. Instead of pointing to something, he would say: "Take Me" or "Want, Plish?"

I started to sit up and take notice... but thinking that it was too early to tell, I dismissed it as all of us being too eager for him to talk.

Now I can't seem to get him to stop talking. And singing, and chattering. Regardless of whether anyone is listening to him or otherwise. He will just go on and on and on, parroting the adults, and trying out new words and sounds.

Response

He used to be a pretty sullen child. Sullen in the sense that he is extremely selective when it comes to showing his thoughts or emotions. He is the type who won't bother with pleasantries, and will not hesitate to show his displeasure if for any reason, he doesn't get good vibes about an adult or another child. We were almost at the end of our tethers trying to explain to a lot of people (who made an effort to coo and fawn over him) why he would simply walk away after a sidelong glance which can be rather obviously translated to: "I really don't understand what are you going on about - you're just making yourself look silly!"

Now, he's more generous with his smiles to unfamiliar people whom he comes into contact with. He says HEY! and Bye-Bye, with a little Royal wave for good measure. He says 'Plish' and 'Thunk Yoo' when he asks or receives things, and he is really a lot more responsive when he's talked to.

Patience

I'm sure we are all aware that toddlers can be the most impatient little people ever. It is doubly worse when they come from one-child families, and are used to people being at their beck and call. BabyMoo, even though he has cousins to play with - is the baby of the family (currently) - and was on the brink of becoming a thoroughly pampered and spoilt child. As parents, we try our best to instil values, but it is an uphill battle when the kid has come to his own conclusion that Mummy and Daddy should be the last people to ask for things.

After starting childcare, BabyMoo is more understanding when we tell him that he must wait for something. He knows that he has to wait for his turn at playgrounds, and he will willingly wait in line with me when there's a queue. He doesn't insist that I should get a toy for him immediately when I tell him to give me a few minutes while I sort something out, and he even recently waited quietly without fretting while I had my hair cut!

Oh... did I mention that eating out is so much more fun now that we can actually sit together as a family, without one of us having to entertain the kid?

Emotions

I'm feeling the love!!
Now that he's in a foreign environment, I suppose he has also learnt not to take us for granted. He is very demonstrative of his feelings, and will randomly run to me to hug me tight. He also says 'Lerv Yooo!' as and when it strikes his fancy, and sometimes grabs my face to give me wet, slobbery and loud kisses.

He calls me on a daily basis now, too. My MIL mentioned that on the first few days, he will bring the phone to her and ask for Mehmee, but since he discovered that Mehmee can be reached by simply touching a 'square' on the phone, he just conveniently takes her mobile and calls me when he reaches home from daycare.

"MehhhMEEEEEEE!! Lerv Yoooooo!" he shouts in my ear.
"Have you eaten, darling?" I ask.

"Yesh, Mehmee come home!" he yells a little louder.
"Soon, darling, soon ok?" It takes everything within my willpower not to accede to his request.

"'Kay... Chee Yooo. Bey Bey Mehmeee!"

It's either that he appreciates me more, or he's now become aware of what to do to get what he wants out of Mummy the sucker! Either ways, his phone calls have become the highlight of my late afternoons, and makes the day go that much faster before I come home to him.

Tears

Yes, occasionally there are still tears when I drop him off in the mornings. He knows he's not supposed to cry, but sometimes I see the tears rolling down his cheeks, unbidden... while he brushes them away fiercely as we walk the short distance from where Daddy drops us off to the school gate. He does not sob piteously, and he has never clung to me, but he holds my hand a little tighter while I give him my assurance that I will always pick him up from his Mama's place, after work. I tell him that he's my pride, my love and my joy, and I mean every single word I say. I tell him that he cannot cry, and I love him, while he tells me 'Kay... and Lerv Yoo Choo.'

My heart still breaks when I leave him at the gates, but I'm so very, very, proud of him, too. I know it couldn't be easy to have to adjust to a totally different environment, and I'm so awed that this little boy of mine has managed the best way that he can.

I'm so proud of him because he tries so hard to be brave, and as much as I sometimes still get assailed by guilt feelings - he puts me to shame for worrying too much in the initial stages. He's shown me that he's big enough to take the positives out of the situation, and that I should be a bigger person by having more confidence in him.

One month on, and he's not only survived day care, but has turned it in his favour. It may be early days yet, but I think we will make it through.

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Style Essence: Make Me Over!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 16:30:00 +0000

I grew up in a family of women who place a lot of emphasis on personal grooming. In fact, one of the most vivid memories that I have of my maternal Grandma as I was growing up was sitting by her side at the salon, waiting for her with a good book to while away the time. My Grandma and Mum always told me to leave the house at least looking presentable (you never know who you would run into) - and to always dress according to what suits me, not whatever's in fashion. I won't even start on the wear nice underwear 'just in case you fall down' mantra.

I like feeling 'put together' because it gives me that extra confidence. Making an effort to look good never did hurt anybody - unless it becomes an obsession and becomes a 'quest' instead of enhancing what was naturally there.

When the opportunity to attend a self-makeover and styling session presented itself, I was thrilled! I am fortunate to belong to a community of wonderful Mom bloggers in Singapore, and as part of the Singapore Mom Bloggers (SMB) 1st Anniversary celebrations, the kind people at Style Essence did not only give us styling tips, but also a self-makeover session!

There were two sessions specially set aside for us, one in the morning (for the stay home mums) and another one in the evening (for the working mums). I joined the evening session, and it was all so exciting because I get to also meet the ladies again!

While waiting for the rest to arrive, we chatted, and laughed, and do what we women do best. Thanks to The Shepherd's Pie for providing the delicious pies while we ~~gossip~~ catch up!

The Styling Segment

Our shoulders, waists and hips were measured to determine which body shape we belonged to. I was informed that I had a column-shaped body, which is a slightly nicer way of saying I don't have a waist!! *sob*

Anyways... column it is. So the next thing is to learn to dress to flatter the body shape, and hide what is necessary, short of wearing a sack. (then I will really look like a tree truck!)

Column ladies have fairly straight up and down structure, and there are no areas which should be minimised, but I have to bear in mind the following ground rules when choosing apparel.

Create curves. Belt the waist.
Mix and match to create colour blocking.
Layer to create dimension.

We next went on to discuss the other different body shapes, and Florinda, our trainer (who is also a Mom blogger!) patiently addressed our queries and showed us what would suit our respective body shapes.

The Colour Segment

Skin tones react to different colour shades differently. A colour that looks absolutely fabulous on one person may result in a pale and wan complexion in another, and the key is identifying which colours are best for our respective skin tones. Colours are identified either as a 'Warm' colour or a 'Cool' one. Once we know which category suits us best, we can then play around with the different colours in that particular spectrum - be it for make up, or for attire.

Each of us were draped with a brown shade (Warm) and a Black shade (Cool) to see which looks better on us. I looked (much!) better with the black against me... so I'm a Cool Babe! Yeah! (me not shy one, really.)

Once that's done, we were advised to take note of the effect prints can have on our bodies as well. Large prints can add on to the illusion of bulk and girth, and stripes lead the eyes to either left to right, or top to bottom. So if you're slightly on the heavy side (that's like 90% of us Mums!) it's best that we stick to solid colours with accents to not only add colour, but to distract the view from the problem areas.

The Cleansing Segment

We were briefed on the importance of good skin care basics, especially since we're at an age where the skin is *ahem* showing signs of ageing. A great cleanser is perhaps the basic necessity all of us should have, and for busy Mums like us, this came in the blessing of a 3-in-1 cleanser, which we can simply use without having to go through the eye make up removing, cleansing, and toning!

TimeWise® 3-In-1 Cleanser (normal/dry)

This was followed up by a mask, which deep cleans as it gently exfoliates. This also helps to remove impurities which can clog up pores, and cause breakouts.

Adeline (The Accidental Mom Blogger) is my masked partner in crime!

We were made to do half of our faces, so that we can then make a comparison of the effects of cleansed skin against our usual Mummy skin. We could really tell the difference, apart from the cloth which was disgustingly black once we were done cleansing our faces!

Seriously... don't take my word for it. You have to try it to believe it.

The Make-up Segment

This is undoubtedly what we were looking forward to! Who doesn't want to look pretty, right?

See all the Mums having some girly time! Top right hand photo: Susan (A Juggling Mom), Sandra (SANses) and Adeline (The Accidental Mom Blogger)

Here is Florinda demonstrating make up tips on Sandra, who writes at SANses.

Clockwise from main picture which features our gorgeous Gingerbread Mum, Adora: Liza (Mother of Xander) dabbling in a bit of magic, Adeline (The Accidental Mom Blogger) sharing a lighthearted moment with Pamela (The Tan Family Chronicles), PC (Simply Us) given some make up tips by stylist Bernadette, Jiahui (Mums The Word) with Madeline (MadPsychMum) concentrating on the task at hand.

We had so much fun experimenting! Tips and tricks to 'open up' the eyes were shared, and for some, it was the first time they have used a device which looked more like an ancient torture device on their eyelashes!

Such a difference the right colours and make up can do!

We then had fun photo taking, and enjoying our 'newly minted' faces! See Sandra still rockin' it like a Boss at 34 weeks of pregnancy!

Standing, from left to right: Bernadette, our Trainer, Susan Koh (A Juggling Mom), Sandra Tan (SANses), ME! Adeline Oon (The Accidental Mom Blogger) Madelime Heng (MadPsychMum).

Seated, from left to right: Jiahui Lu (Mums The Word), Estella Goh (So Oddly Dreamlike), Liza Poh (Mother of Xander) Pamela Tan (The Tan Family Chronicles), Adora Tan (Gingerbread Mum), Pc Lee (Simply Us) and our Trainer, Florinda Tay (Flo Mummy)

Picture courtesy of Rachel Teo of Catch Forty Winks.

It's too easy to let ourselves go with the comfortable state of marriage or being 'settled down', more so if we have children and barely have time to take a pee break! There are days when I crash out totally exhausted the moment BabyMoo sleeps, and there are too many days when I just don't feel like making an effort to look presentable when I have BabyMoo to distract people away from me, anyway.

But I still do. I still try to, because I believe that if I ignore the way I look once - it will be all too easy for me to do so the second and third time... until I eventually stop caring about the way I look. And that won't do. Not at all.

***

Update: I used the mask twice in a 4 day time-frame, and I was so pleased to note that my skin not only looked much brighter and cleaner, the appearance of pores and fine lines were also minimised!

This was taken this morning. I applied the mask on Friday night, and on Sunday night. No filters or editing.
I wished I had taken a 'Before' photo!

***

Now here's a chance for YOU to experience first hand exactly

what I was going on about up there ^^

Style Essence is providing THREE readers an opportunity to attend a Makeover Workshop worth $150.00 each!

To enter, just leave me a comment in this post sharing what you find most challenging in your personal styling or make-up regime, along with your name and email.

Closing date: 12 April 2013, 1200hrs

Winners will be announced shortly after the closing date, and Style Essence will contact the lucky ones for workshop details. Giveaway is only open to readers residing in Singapore only.

Thanks to sponsors Style Essence and dinner by The Shepherd’s pie, in collaboration with SMB’s 1st Birthday Bash 2013.

UPDATE

Congratulations to the 3 following lucky ladies for winning the makeover session with Style Essence!

Style Essence will be contacting you via email for further details.

Thanks for participating, and cheers to a brand new looking you!

Real Love Works!

noreply@blogger.com (MummyMOO) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

What comes next after the euphoria of the proposal, wedding planning and the big day has died down?

No matter how much two people love each other, perhaps the real test of the union lie in the efforts made to keep the relationship alive. It can get very challenging when the hours in the day is filled with juggling the numerous commitments in life, and it can be all too easy to forget that our partners are people whom we should always be able to turn to in times of need, rejoice with in times of joy, and is a source of unfailing support in trying times.

It's always good to take time out to appreciate each other, strengthen the bond, and just BE together. Get the kids involved, have fun as a family, and focus on the people who matter most in our lives.

When we made our wedding vows, we promised to honour and love each other in the face of everything. We sealed the union, and from then on, life became different. When there is a reason to celebrate, we will always have someone to share our joy. When life throws unexpected curve balls, sometimes our only hope and security is in knowing that no matter what happens, they will always be a part of our lives.

Marriage Central, in support of its 'Real Love Works 2013' campaign this year, is organising a terrarium making workshop for couples. This activity encourages bonding and promotes healthy communication avenues. Make time today for a lifetime together!

Image source

Terrarium Making Workshop

Date: 6 April 2013
Time: 11am - 12pm (registration starts at 10.30am, please bring along your ID for verification.)
Venue: HortPark, 33 Hyderabad Road (Off Alexandra Road) Singapore 119578

Nearest MRT Station: Labrador Park
Bus Stop: 51, 61, 93,97, 100, 166, 963

To register, please send an email to esther@ogl.com.sg with your details.

Registration and the workshop is free.

Facebook: Marriage Central
Web: http://www.marriagecentral.org.sg

Linking up with:

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I HAVE 2 PLAY-DOH PLUS FROSTING FUN BAKERY PLAYSET FOR 2 LUCKY READERS!

Simple steps to qualify:

1. SHARE this post via this link on MummyMoo's FB page. 2. Leave a comment on that post, and tag a friend.

Two lucky readers who leave a comment on the post will stand to win a set of Play-Doh Plus Bakery Playset each!

HERE ARE OUR TWO LUCKY READERS!

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Style Essence is providing THREE readers an opportunity to attend a Makeover Workshop worth $150.00 each!

UPDATE

Real Love Works!

1. SHARE this post via this link on MummyMoo's FB page.
2. Leave a comment on that post, and tag a friend.

"I don't know how tall I am or how much I weigh.

I prefer to remain anonymous,

but I'm like a superhero.

Call me Basketball Boy."

***