I still think I improved, well just a wee bit. The fact that I didn’t come from a family that drives, or own a car, its hard for me to pick up driving. Staying in SG, you never really needed a license. My parents never felt the need to. Taxis are available everywhere, and even in the wee hours, or the most secluded locations, you can always call for one. They’re quite cheap too, comparing them to the other more well developed countries.
So today we needed to make a trip down for groceries, and for an event that the Hubs needed to prepare for. I took the leap and tried to drive again, after my last scary incident, I wanted to pay attention, and stay calm. I did manage to stay calm for most of the entire trip, I even managed to get through the turn that I went up the curb on previously. It wasn’t a perfect turn, but it will make do for now.
I needed to make a left turn into the car park, so as I went to the middle lane, Hubs was asking me to STOP and wait. I was busy looking in my mirrors and front, I didn’t realise I didn’t stomp on the brakes hard enough, and I was rolling. He started shouting, and I stomped on it. There were cars coming on, and I was rolling. I was safe in a way, because I was looking for any oncoming vehicles, but I was wrong in the way where I’m supposed to go to a full stop, when I was still rolling. We had a brief fight after that, but all is good now. & I’m not gonna let that affect me.
I need to learn how to approach that middle lane to left turn, in that 3 way road. I need to remain calm, and I need to learn how to park. My learners permit is going to expire on 2nd Oct. And I’m not even halfway there. I’ll need to extend it, and get out there to practice more! Staying calm & collected is most important.
Apologies for the rambling, but i just need to get it out of me. The blog’s just my way of putting it all out and reviewing myself.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Recipe: Mince Pork Noodle aka Bak Chor Mee
The Singapore hawker favorite of Mince Pork Noodle, or Bak Chor Mee. Something that I've been craving, for a long time. I was having a hard time thinking of what I should do for dinner since it was just me and Hubs at home. The good friend was back in SG visiting. When its only the 2 of us eating, I'd just try to whip up easy 1 dish meals to get over the dinner as long as it was enough to fill the tummy.
We used to eat this almost every night when we went to the coffeeshops for supper. After gaming hours, so called. Over here, no coffeeshop, no supper sessions, most importantly, no gaming kakis. We do having movie marathons though, where the friends would come over, and watch movies and drama series to no end.
I got the recipe from Food Made With Love and edited it a little for the carnivore in me. =D
Ingredients:
For the minced meat
Minced pork -250g or as much as u need! I added lots!
Olive oil
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark sweet sauce aka kecap manis
1 small can button mushrooms
2 slabs of pork loin sliced. (optional) (I told u i'm a carnivore!!)
Take the measurements as a guide, and keep tasting your food, and adjust it to your liking!
For the Stewed mushrooms
A handful of Dried shitake mushrooms. (whole or sliced doesn't matter)
olive oil
sliced ginger
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
hot water enough to cover your mushrooms to soak.
For the noodles
4 bundles of flat yellow noodles (for the 2 of us. we are big eaters though!)
1/2 tsp oyster sauce
a splash of fish sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp of water
We used to eat this almost every night when we went to the coffeeshops for supper. After gaming hours, so called. Over here, no coffeeshop, no supper sessions, most importantly, no gaming kakis. We do having movie marathons though, where the friends would come over, and watch movies and drama series to no end.
I got the recipe from Food Made With Love and edited it a little for the carnivore in me. =D
Ingredients:
For the minced meat
Minced pork -250g or as much as u need! I added lots!
Olive oil
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark sweet sauce aka kecap manis
1 small can button mushrooms
2 slabs of pork loin sliced. (optional) (I told u i'm a carnivore!!)
Take the measurements as a guide, and keep tasting your food, and adjust it to your liking!
For the Stewed mushrooms
A handful of Dried shitake mushrooms. (whole or sliced doesn't matter)
olive oil
sliced ginger
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
hot water enough to cover your mushrooms to soak.
For the noodles
4 bundles of flat yellow noodles (for the 2 of us. we are big eaters though!)
1/2 tsp oyster sauce
a splash of fish sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp of water
Fried Mince Meat
1. Heat the pan with the tablespoon of olive oil. Add the garlic and fry till it just turns a slight tinge of brown.
Add the mince meat and fry till cooked. Remember to break it up to small pieces.
Add the different sauces and fry, on medium-low heat, till all the liquid reduces.
Stirring occasionally. Add the button mushroom till it’s incorporated.
Add the mince meat and fry till cooked. Remember to break it up to small pieces.
Add the different sauces and fry, on medium-low heat, till all the liquid reduces.
Stirring occasionally. Add the button mushroom till it’s incorporated.
2. You can cook this in advance, and pop it into the microwave to heat it up just before serving
Stewed Mushroom
1. Pour hot water over the dried chinese mushrooms and soak for 15 mins.
Do not throw the water left after you take the mushrooms out.
Squeeze out the water of each mushroom, and cut it into relatively thin slices.
Do not throw the water left after you take the mushrooms out.
Squeeze out the water of each mushroom, and cut it into relatively thin slices.
2. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a heavy-based pan. Add the slices ginger and fry till tender.
Add the mushrooms and fry till fragrant.
Add the oyster sauce and a few tablespoons of water (from the mushrooms)
cook under medium-low heat and allow the mushrooms to absorb the liquid (plumping it up in the process)
Add the mushrooms and fry till fragrant.
Add the oyster sauce and a few tablespoons of water (from the mushrooms)
cook under medium-low heat and allow the mushrooms to absorb the liquid (plumping it up in the process)
3. Keep adding water (at least 2 more additions) and allow it to cook over low heat for at least 30mins.
so that it’s soft and tender. and bursting with flavour!
so that it’s soft and tender. and bursting with flavour!
Noodles :
1. In a large bowl, add ketchup, oyster sauce, and fish sauce and mix till incorporated.
2. Boil the rice noodles according to the instructions on the packet
(Normally, I put the noodles in hot boiling water and scoop it up almost immediately
or else it will get too soft and will break into small pieces easily)
(Normally, I put the noodles in hot boiling water and scoop it up almost immediately
or else it will get too soft and will break into small pieces easily)
Optional: If you're like me, guilty from all the meat, you may add a handful of chopped fresh lettuce to top the bowl. I did add some, probably a fingerful, but its being covered by the huge scoops of meat. *drool*
I copied the recipe from Food Made with Love, but edited it to how I cooked it. I left out the fishballs and beansprouts. We're not big fans of veggies. And I added ketchup to my noodles sauce, it made it sweeter. Much to our liking. Enjoy!
Taking on the problems, one workout at a time.
Somehow, yesterday, after many days of procrastination, I changed into my sports attire, and started working out again. My muscle groups are still sore today, after a long break from working out. The last time I worked out was before our San Francisco trip. That would be like, 1 and 1/2 months ago?
I could feel the difference in my body. Back then, I could workout everyday, and feel energised. Not sore at all. I was hardly breathless, and didn't sweat too much in the earlier parts of my routines. I managed to work myself into doing some of the Insanity videos, after finding that Jillian Michaels was getting too easy for me, and I bought 5 lbs weights, after realising that the 3lbs were too light for me. After a month of just light walking, and not hitting the sweaty point, my entire body seemed to have lazed off. I can't find any firm or lean muscles, everything has gone back to flab.
I have been constantly feeling tired, and sleepy all day. Even sleeping 11 hours didn't help. And I was at my breaking point yesterday, when I drove up a curb, and I stomped on my breaks and just paused there. Stoned. Hubs shouted at me to get going before another car came onto us. He was worried about how I am going to learn driving if I couldn't react to it. I felt tired after that incident, and annoyed with myself. It just drained alot of me, and when we reached home, all I wanted to do was to lay on the bed and be alone. I'm very much of a perfectionist in some ways. The things that I want to do, must be perfectly done, learnt in the shortest period of time. If it doesn't turn out well, I get pissed or annoyed with myself for failing what I wanted to do.
I had many months to learn how to drive, but have been procrastinating. I never really thought of it, and in fact, I fear it. I quite hate having the idea of being in control of this huge machine and it may get me around safely, or cost me my life. I've managed to get the Hubs to teach me quite a few times over the past 2 weeks, and I've managed to drive around our little neighbourhood, safely. So when that happened in the main road, I was just in shock.
Later in the day, after the Hubs went to work, I went online to check out how other people thought of driving, and I realised I wasn't alone in having that fear. I love cool cars, and all, but I'd rather a cool dude drive me around too. ;) I was alot calmer after reading the articles, but yet, frustrated with myself for being such a wuss. In the past 3 months, I sweated to all my frustrations. I vented in the gym, pushing myself super hard, or on 2 Insanity videos, that made me feel like I was going to die, with my face all red and sweaty.
Yesterday, was no different, knowing I have not been working out, I picked out JM's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. Its a bodyweight workout, and all you need was just a mat. It did do its job in making my entire body ache, and me sweaty and breathless once again. I hate the workout process, but its what it brings me after the process. After bathing, I always feel refreshed, energised, and wanting to take on something I can't. I just wanted to face my problems head on. For now, its wanting to take the car out for another drive, and making it better than the previous drive I had.
When the Hubs came back from work, I shouted, " Lets go drive tomorrow again!", and he looked at me and knew, I haven't gave up on it, like what I used to do. I know I need to learn by November, and I am putting this on my priority list. I also need to exercise, to give me energy, and alertness in everything I do. Lets make this work out now.
I could feel the difference in my body. Back then, I could workout everyday, and feel energised. Not sore at all. I was hardly breathless, and didn't sweat too much in the earlier parts of my routines. I managed to work myself into doing some of the Insanity videos, after finding that Jillian Michaels was getting too easy for me, and I bought 5 lbs weights, after realising that the 3lbs were too light for me. After a month of just light walking, and not hitting the sweaty point, my entire body seemed to have lazed off. I can't find any firm or lean muscles, everything has gone back to flab.
I have been constantly feeling tired, and sleepy all day. Even sleeping 11 hours didn't help. And I was at my breaking point yesterday, when I drove up a curb, and I stomped on my breaks and just paused there. Stoned. Hubs shouted at me to get going before another car came onto us. He was worried about how I am going to learn driving if I couldn't react to it. I felt tired after that incident, and annoyed with myself. It just drained alot of me, and when we reached home, all I wanted to do was to lay on the bed and be alone. I'm very much of a perfectionist in some ways. The things that I want to do, must be perfectly done, learnt in the shortest period of time. If it doesn't turn out well, I get pissed or annoyed with myself for failing what I wanted to do.
I had many months to learn how to drive, but have been procrastinating. I never really thought of it, and in fact, I fear it. I quite hate having the idea of being in control of this huge machine and it may get me around safely, or cost me my life. I've managed to get the Hubs to teach me quite a few times over the past 2 weeks, and I've managed to drive around our little neighbourhood, safely. So when that happened in the main road, I was just in shock.
Later in the day, after the Hubs went to work, I went online to check out how other people thought of driving, and I realised I wasn't alone in having that fear. I love cool cars, and all, but I'd rather a cool dude drive me around too. ;) I was alot calmer after reading the articles, but yet, frustrated with myself for being such a wuss. In the past 3 months, I sweated to all my frustrations. I vented in the gym, pushing myself super hard, or on 2 Insanity videos, that made me feel like I was going to die, with my face all red and sweaty.
Yesterday, was no different, knowing I have not been working out, I picked out JM's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. Its a bodyweight workout, and all you need was just a mat. It did do its job in making my entire body ache, and me sweaty and breathless once again. I hate the workout process, but its what it brings me after the process. After bathing, I always feel refreshed, energised, and wanting to take on something I can't. I just wanted to face my problems head on. For now, its wanting to take the car out for another drive, and making it better than the previous drive I had.
When the Hubs came back from work, I shouted, " Lets go drive tomorrow again!", and he looked at me and knew, I haven't gave up on it, like what I used to do. I know I need to learn by November, and I am putting this on my priority list. I also need to exercise, to give me energy, and alertness in everything I do. Lets make this work out now.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Our 1st Anniversary Dinner
Its hard to find a place to eat here, there's no place here that excites my taste buds, neither are there any places that spells romantic. The best foods around here, are the fast food restaurants. On days I don't cook, and we stay in MH, I'd rather just grab a Mushroom & Swiss from McD.
Since our anniversary fell on a weekday, and my hubs is working morning shift. I decided to prepare a "surprise" romantic dinner in our own home for him. So he can just come back from work, bath, eat, have some wine, and laze on the couch with me. Perfect isn't it?
The menu of the day:
-Potato Salad topped with raisins.
-Filet Mignon with sauce
-Strawberry Cheesecake
All paired with Parma Ridge Sweet Blush Wine 2005.
I have no idea how to put romance in our dining area, based on the fact that the weather has been cold, and walking to buy decorations and carrying them back is not gonna be an easy task. I used what I had on hand.
Since our anniversary fell on a weekday, and my hubs is working morning shift. I decided to prepare a "surprise" romantic dinner in our own home for him. So he can just come back from work, bath, eat, have some wine, and laze on the couch with me. Perfect isn't it?
The menu of the day:
-Potato Salad topped with raisins.
-Filet Mignon with sauce
-Strawberry Cheesecake
All paired with Parma Ridge Sweet Blush Wine 2005.
I have no idea how to put romance in our dining area, based on the fact that the weather has been cold, and walking to buy decorations and carrying them back is not gonna be an easy task. I used what I had on hand.
The plastic wine glasses are from Dollar Tree's Valentines Day sales. I did up the potato salad in the early afternoon, and left it in the fridge to chill. Next, I prepared the sauce for the filet mignons. I had no idea how to prepare it, as the commiss had ran out of red wine, which was what I intended to use initially. I searched for some recipes online, but decided to replace the red wine with shaoxing rice wine, and added a little sugar instead.
Here's how I set it up. I even wiped the dripped sauce off the plates. Must be watching too much Gordon Ramsay's shows. Sigh.
I warmed up the sauce that I prepared, and drizzled it over the filets, and topped it with lots of onions. The sauce was fantastic. I loved it. Hubs raved about it. He said it was the happiest day ever since we got married. ;)
I thought we could have a good sit down dinner, and talk and romance over dinner and wine. However, the meat was still quite raw in the center. The recipe recommended to cook the meats for 6 mins on each side, which I followed to the second, for medium rare meats that the Hubs liked. However, it turned out to be too raw. Had to run back and forth the kitchen to refire the meats to make them slightly less red and more edible. I would reccomend to cook them for around 12 minutes on each side and that should make it more edible.
Candlelights, and wine.. What more could I ask for in a romantic dinner at home, for less than $20. ;)
Happy Anniversary Hubs, love u always. Recipes on how to prepare the food step by step... Coming up next!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I love you. 1 year of marriage.
It only seems like yesterday that we were standing in the little white hut by Keppel Club saying our vows, and I dos. I held back my tears as you put the ring on me, knowing that we're gonna have each other till death do us part. We have had many ups and downs in our relationship, our journey to getting married, and our moving here.
We were hesitant, somewhat afraid, at the thought of being here alone, of being unable to cope, never having lived on our own before, the fear of managing everything on ourselves were huge. Yet we've overcome it, and came so far. The combination of you and me, leaves us no fear. We have fought, and quarreled, shouted hurtful things to one another, argued our insecurities, and at the same time, letting one another know our fears. Each unhappy episode led to tears, and sadness, not forgetting the hurt we feel inside. But each time, allowing us to know one another better, building our relationship, as it gets stronger every day.
Every day we are together, we learn about one another. We stay strong together, because we never stop working on our relationship to stay together. Thank you for being the man of my house. Thank you for supporting me through my successes and failures. Thank you for looking after me all these times. Thank you for working hard to bring the dough back so I have no other worries, than to do my best to look after our home, and focus on what I should. Thank you for thinking for me all the time. Thank you for bringing me on all our travels and planning for future ones. We will hit our goal to travel around the world one day. Together we'll make that journey happen.
So many words to describe how I feel for you, but you should know it by now. 8 years dating, 1 year of marriage. Every moment with you is a celebration. I love you.
We were hesitant, somewhat afraid, at the thought of being here alone, of being unable to cope, never having lived on our own before, the fear of managing everything on ourselves were huge. Yet we've overcome it, and came so far. The combination of you and me, leaves us no fear. We have fought, and quarreled, shouted hurtful things to one another, argued our insecurities, and at the same time, letting one another know our fears. Each unhappy episode led to tears, and sadness, not forgetting the hurt we feel inside. But each time, allowing us to know one another better, building our relationship, as it gets stronger every day.
Every day we are together, we learn about one another. We stay strong together, because we never stop working on our relationship to stay together. Thank you for being the man of my house. Thank you for supporting me through my successes and failures. Thank you for looking after me all these times. Thank you for working hard to bring the dough back so I have no other worries, than to do my best to look after our home, and focus on what I should. Thank you for thinking for me all the time. Thank you for bringing me on all our travels and planning for future ones. We will hit our goal to travel around the world one day. Together we'll make that journey happen.
So many words to describe how I feel for you, but you should know it by now. 8 years dating, 1 year of marriage. Every moment with you is a celebration. I love you.
Happy 1st Year Anniversary of Marriage.
Aaron & Natx 09/09/09.
Aaron & Natx 09/09/09.
With many more to come. ;)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The dreaded dependence on the pill
I'm taking a break off the pill this time. Long or short, I still don't know. But hubs doesn't want me to get back on, after he heard the dangers of eating the pill. I've been on it for almost 8 years, after my doctor prescribed me to take it to control my fainting spells during my period. I'm pretty dependent on it to control my monthly period, and my hormones. One thing good, it keeps my complexion clear, and also, my hormones in check. I don't get PMS as badly as I used to, and my mood doesn't swing as crazy, I don't get painful cramps, and of course, no pregnancy.
I bought 2 year supply of pills to bring over, thinking that we're here for only 2 years. Hub's contract got extended and the good news is, we're here for 2 years 11 months in total. Somehow or the other, I wouldn't have enough pills to last me thru our entire trip here. But hearing the advertisements harping on how the pill causes a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, its really getting to me. Probably when I'm much younger, I rather face these risks than get married and have kids unprepared. As of now, i'm married, and probably ready to have kids as they come.
We've decided to come off the pill, but I'm surprised to see the side effects coming on me now. Pimples are popping out (must start to make use of all my masks!!!), skin is getting from bad to worse. All of a sudden, my weight is dropping pretty scarily. Well, hubs is losing alot of weight too. I think its probably because I've been cooking the healthier choices, and adding herbs to our food to make it more tasty, thus, fulfilling. My last period after getting off the pill almost killed me. It was hurting like crazy all week, and lasted 5 days. I'm really hoping the effects are gonna wear off and my body can go back to usual. I'm hoping to start another workout regime, and my body can bounce back to the healthier state, as well as improve my appetite and increase my weight again. Sigh.
I hope coming off the pill now will help the effects of the pill wear off soon, and once my body goes back to normal, maybe we can consider having kids. ;P Wish us luck! hehe
I bought 2 year supply of pills to bring over, thinking that we're here for only 2 years. Hub's contract got extended and the good news is, we're here for 2 years 11 months in total. Somehow or the other, I wouldn't have enough pills to last me thru our entire trip here. But hearing the advertisements harping on how the pill causes a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, its really getting to me. Probably when I'm much younger, I rather face these risks than get married and have kids unprepared. As of now, i'm married, and probably ready to have kids as they come.
We've decided to come off the pill, but I'm surprised to see the side effects coming on me now. Pimples are popping out (must start to make use of all my masks!!!), skin is getting from bad to worse. All of a sudden, my weight is dropping pretty scarily. Well, hubs is losing alot of weight too. I think its probably because I've been cooking the healthier choices, and adding herbs to our food to make it more tasty, thus, fulfilling. My last period after getting off the pill almost killed me. It was hurting like crazy all week, and lasted 5 days. I'm really hoping the effects are gonna wear off and my body can go back to usual. I'm hoping to start another workout regime, and my body can bounce back to the healthier state, as well as improve my appetite and increase my weight again. Sigh.
I hope coming off the pill now will help the effects of the pill wear off soon, and once my body goes back to normal, maybe we can consider having kids. ;P Wish us luck! hehe
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Portabello Mushrooms with Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese
I've read a few times how Portabello mushrooms are like steaks to vegetarians, but I couldn't understand why. I've wanted to try cooking with portabellos for sometime, but felt intimidated by the size of the mushroom cap. So the other day, when we went to get our groceries, I decided to just grab a pack of 2 caps to try cooking for lunch the next day. I mixed and matched it with whatever I had in the fridge, and it turned out so good, the guys wanted me to cook it again next time. Here's what I did:
Ingredients:
2 portabello mushroom
salt & pepper
McCormick steak seasoning
1 tomato, diced
Mozzarella cheese, shreded
1. Preheat oven to 395F.
2. Scrape out gills from underside of mushroom cap. Rinse clean.
3. Season with salt and pepper and steak seasoning.
4. Spread out tomatoes on the underside of mushroom cap.
5. Top with plenty of Mozzarella cheese! I love cheese, so I used plenty of it.
6. Put mushrooms on tray, and put in oven for 20 mins, checking every 10 mins.
7. Slice when its done, or eat the caps whole!
This tastes amazingly juicy, its almost like a burger without the bun. A good lunch would be to put the mushroom between a burger bun, and its almost gonna taste like a mushroom swiss! The guys loved it, and I'm crazy over it. I'm quite sure i'll be doing another one soon.. Its easy to make, and very healthy, since all of it is vegetables and cheese. I've always wanted to try cooking with tomatoes, and I believe if I kept eating it, I would eventually come to like it. And I was right! ;) More tomato recipes to come!
Ingredients:
2 portabello mushroom
salt & pepper
McCormick steak seasoning
1 tomato, diced
Mozzarella cheese, shreded
1. Preheat oven to 395F.
2. Scrape out gills from underside of mushroom cap. Rinse clean.
3. Season with salt and pepper and steak seasoning.
4. Spread out tomatoes on the underside of mushroom cap.
5. Top with plenty of Mozzarella cheese! I love cheese, so I used plenty of it.
6. Put mushrooms on tray, and put in oven for 20 mins, checking every 10 mins.
7. Slice when its done, or eat the caps whole!
This tastes amazingly juicy, its almost like a burger without the bun. A good lunch would be to put the mushroom between a burger bun, and its almost gonna taste like a mushroom swiss! The guys loved it, and I'm crazy over it. I'm quite sure i'll be doing another one soon.. Its easy to make, and very healthy, since all of it is vegetables and cheese. I've always wanted to try cooking with tomatoes, and I believe if I kept eating it, I would eventually come to like it. And I was right! ;) More tomato recipes to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)