Unwelcomed Surprises: A Week in the Life of a Mom

This week has been another whirlwind of unexpected events for our family. It started with Alycia’s unplanned visit to SJMC to see her hand and microsurgery doctor. She had developed a cluster of blisters on her post-operated finger, though thankfully, they weren’t on the operated part of her finger but rather on the lower part. After examining the finger, the doctor referred her to a dermatologist, who reassured her that the issue wasn’t serious. She was prescribed a topical cream, and the cost of the bill was RM203, which, unfortunately, isn’t claimable from insurance.

Just when I thought we could put Alycia’s finger issue behind us, Sherilyn had a sudden allergic reaction after eating prawns. Sherilyn’s strange allergy to prawns has always puzzled us. Most of the time, she’s perfectly fine after eating them, but once in a while, she develops hives, as she did this week. We suspect she’s allergic to the chemicals used in certain prawns, as this reaction doesn’t always happen. 

That night, her dad had to rush her to the Accident & Emergency department at our neighborhood hospital, past midnight, to get anti-allergy medication and steroids intravenously. She now has to take oral steroids for a week, but being the resilient girl she is, Sherilyn went right back to university the next day.

Last year Sherilyn was warded in the same hospital for a night to treat a severe allergy after eating prawns.  After the latest hives incident, I told Sherilyn that she should steer clear of eating prawns to avoid another unwanted allergy flareup.

Reflecting on this year, it seems like life has been filled with one unwelcome surprise after another. From Alycia’s freak kitchen accident in June to these health scares, it feels like we’ve been on a rollercoaster. Yet, I’m grateful that nothing major has happened—aside from Alycia’s accident, which we’ve slowly overcome.

As the year draws to a close, I’m hopeful for smoother, more peaceful days ahead. The unpredictability of life has tested us, but it’s also made us stronger. 

Mutton rendang, mixed veggies, and Ayam Masak Merah from Catermate for our lunch and dinner on one of the days earlier this week.

Thai fish cakes and mutton rendang.

Nasi Minyak with fried shallots.

21 March 2024 ~ Random Updates from the Family Front

On Monday this week, my two older girls, Alycia and Sherilyn, found themselves donning a new hat as servers at a mega event held at the iconic Sepang International Circuit. The occasion? The much-anticipated launch of the Infinix Note 40 Series mobile phone, an event that drew guests from across the globe. With the hubby, the caterer, needing extra hands to ensure the event ran smoothly, Alycia and Sherilyn stepped up to the plate, leveraging their experience from working part-time at a café on weekends.  Fortunately, Alycia had no class on that day and Sherilyn is currently on a semester break.

Sherilyn at her dad's central kitchen. It was a very busy day for all his staff.

While rubbing shoulders with international guests and media was undoubtedly a highlight, the real thrill came towards the end of the evening. Picture this: drifting on a sports car around the F1 circuit under the starlit sky. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left Alycia and Sherilyn exhilarated and buzzing with excitement. They also got to bring home each an Infinix power bank as a door gift.

Despite the late night, Sherilyn wasted no time in seizing the next opportunity for adventure.  The following day, she got up early to embark on a road trip with her college mates to Penang. Despite a late night and an unpacked luggage bag, she quickly prepped sushi for brunch for herself and her friends, to snack on in the car. They planned not to stop for lunch so that they could reach Penang earlier. One of her friends drove the car. As I type this post, Sherilyn is making her way back to KL after a memorable two-night stay at an Air BNB condo, filled with laughter, exploration, and the joys of youth.

Delicious assorted sushi, prepped by chef Sherilyn. 

100 Plus canned drinks for her friends.

As a parent, witnessing my daughters embrace these moments of joy and discovery fills my heart with pride and gratitude. From serving at a prestigious event to embarking on spontaneous road trips and overseas holidays, they are truly making the most of their college and university years... before they enter the workforce.

Sherilyn's 19th Birthday

On 16 February 2024, Sherilyn turned 19, marking another milestone in her journey of growth. Our celebration this year held special significance as we gathered in Ipoh on the first day of Chinese New Year on 10 February 2024, to commemorate her birthday in advance. This is the second time that Sherilyn celebrated her birthday in Ipoh with my parents and brothers. If Chinese New Year happens to fall in February, we would be able to have a double celebration in Ipoh when my brothers return to Ipoh.

Sherilyn's birth on the 8th day of Chinese New Year in 2005 remains etched in my memory with vivid clarity. On the eve of Pai Ti Kung day, Sherilyn made her grand entrance into the world at noon, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.  Her spirited nature became apparent from the start, as evidenced by her feisty behavior even during those early breastfeeding sessions.  

I recall the thunderous sounds of fireworks at midnight on 17 February 2005 as the Hokkiens celebrated and prayed to the Jade Emperor.  That midnight, the infant, not even a day old yet, bit off a small part of my teat as she was trying to suckle milk. I was shocked to see blood in her mouth and then the double shock when I realized that it was a tiny part of my teat in her tiny mouth 😬. I will never forget the pain I endured that night and the subsequent times that she latched onto a badly wounded teat. 😂 I am so proud of myself that I survived those days.

A yummy cake from JJ Swiss Roll.

Fast forward to Sherilyn's 19th birthday celebration, and we found ourselves indulging in not one but two joyous occasions. The pre-birthday and Chinese New Year festivities in Ipoh, surrounded by family members, including my brother's family from Singapore, set the stage for a memorable celebration. 

With my fam bam.

Sherilyn received a birthday and CNY ang pow from my parents.

Pandan and chocolate flavor this time as the popular cempedak flavor was sold out.  The pandan and chocolate flavor was superb too, with a strong pandan aroma.

On the eve of her birthday, Sherilyn treated herself to a decadent sirloin steak infused with sage butter, a gourmet delight that reflected her refined palate and culinary skills.  With meticulous care, she pan-fried the steak to perfection, accompanied by creamy mashed. She wolfed down the entire piece of steak herself and shared just one small bite with me as I requested to try it.

Lip-smackingly delish steak and mash, both meticulously prepped by Sherilyn for herself - her present to herself, bought using her ang pow money.

Now, as Sherilyn embarks on her 19th year, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of being her mother and witnessing her growth every step of the way. Though the years may pass, Sherilyn's vibrant and unwavering spirit, thirst for competitiveness, and boundless energy remain unchanged.

My Middle Child’s Culinary Ventures, Academic Triumphs, and the Road Ahead

Life for Sherilyn, my second daughter, has undergone a transformation since she embarked on her pre-university studies. From passionate baking and cooking sessions during the pandemic to juggling college, dancing, and part-time work, Sherilyn's journey has taken an academic turn.

Amidst the demanding schedule of college life, Sherilyn found a moment of respite during her semester break recently. The kitchen, a space that witnessed many culinary creations during the pandemic and lockdowns from 2020 through 2022, once again came alive. Sherilyn took the opportunity to craft a large batch of kimchi, showcasing her culinary finesse with radish, napa cabbage, and cucumber variations. Additionally, a big yummy pot of Japchae, a family favorite, graced our dining table on her free day recently.

Cucumber kimchi

Refreshing radish kimchi

Napa kimchi

Japchae

As the semester break concluded, Sherilyn dove headfirst into her second semester, resuming the rigorous routine of early mornings and late nights. With the demands of her Foundation in Natural & Built Environments program escalating, her focus shifted from the kitchen to tutorials and assignments. Her time in college and dance studio often leaves our interactions reduced to brief hellos and goodbyes, a sign of the academic challenges she navigates daily as well as her passion in dancing.

Today, Sherilyn shared a delightful surprise with me via Whatsapp —a glance at her results slips and a letter from the college. The revelation that she had secured a coveted spot on the Dean's List for her good performance in the first semester echoed her commitment to academic excellence.

 

As Sherilyn progresses through her studies in Architecture, one of the most demanding courses at university, the road ahead promises lots of challenges that demand unwavering commitment. With a four-to-seven-year study period ahead, I can't help but harbor hopes and aspirations for her. My prayer is for her to persevere, graduate with flying colors, secure a fulfilling job, and, above all, lead a life brimming with happiness and good health.

Sunday Food Indulgences

24 September 2023 ~ Brunch at O&S Restaurant, Paramount Garden, PJ

After we dropped off Cass at Sunway Pyramid today, we headed to O&S Restaurant in Paramount Garden for our hawkers' food fix.  Cass had to get her new skates fixed at the skates shop and then for figure skating practice.  The blades on her almost RM3k skates started to rust after less than a month of purchase and she freaked out. So she went back to the seller to seek a remedy as well as to get the remaining 5 screws inserted into the skates.  Alycia didn't have to work at the cafe today, so she joined us for brunch.  Sherilyn stayed home to complete her never-ending assignments.  Life as an architecture student is tough with lots of assignments to complete.

Yummy Yong Tau Foo, fried wanton and foo pei, prawn paste CCF and Char Koay Teow.

We waited for almost half an hour for these super crispy and yummy Apam Balik. It was well worth the wait.

 

A table full of our favorite food.

Alycia's in her 3rd year of uni now. Thank God she still has a partial scholarship from the uni for her 3rd year 🙏

After our hawker's food fix, we segued into Broom for desserts and coffee, as well as to get takeaway for Sherilyn and Cass. 

Lemon meringue tart.

Scone and coffee.

Mint and watermelon juice for Alycia.

Last Sunday, 17 September 2023 ~ Dinner at Red Kettle

Hubs decided to have dinner after all despite a heavy lunch at Ah Ma Jia at Bukit Jalil. He felt hungry after his basketball match and pestered us to join him for dinner at Red Kettle at 7:30 pm.  Cass and I don't eat after 5pm but when she heard that it was at Red Kettle, she changed her mind.  She had a juicy yummylicious burger and I pinched a bit of chicken chop from hubs and a bite of Cass' burger.

Best-in-the-world Portuguese egg tart from Red Kettle. This is my kryptonite and no matter how late or full I am, I can't say NO to it. I had a quarter of the tart.

Sherilyn's Fregola soup, a delicious homemade tomato soup with Sardinian fregola sarda pasta, prawns, scallops, mussels, and slices of herb & grilled bread.

Minus 4 Rum & Raisin ice-cream

Sherilyn joined us much later as she came after a dance video shoot at Pavillion KL.

Ever since Sherilyn started her Foundation in Natural & Built Environments early this month, she's been busy completing assignments and she often eats and works on her assignments simultaneously at the dining table.

Even I'm busy. Sherilyn enlisted me to help her look for plants around the neighborhood for her assignment. I took this pic and Whatsapped her but she said it's not what she wanted!

Sherilyn's Break Before She Starts College

Sherilyn's 5-month break is coming to an end.  Before embarking on another new journey next week, she took the ETS train to Ipoh on Wednesday to visit her grandparents. It's also to celebrate her koong koong's 80th birthday, which falls on 19 August 2023.  

Sherilyn will commence her Foundation in Natural and Built Environments next week at Taylor's College. And if Architecture is for her, she will proceed with the Bachelor of Science in Architecture. If not, she can opt to study Business, Quantity Surveying, or other courses.

On Tuesday, Alycia followed her grandma, aunty and cousin from England to Penang and then to Ipoh.  They celebrated my dad's birthday at the Mun Choong Restaurant in Ipoh yesterday.  Too bad Cass, hubs and I had to be in KL as Cass has to go to school while hubs has been busy with work.

School holidays will only begin in another week.  Cass and I will only make a trip to Ipoh on 28 August by ETS train to have another round of celebration with dad.

This super chill girl gave me a panic attack on the day that she was supposed to take the train back to Ipoh.  Her train was at 3pm but she went out for lunch with her friend at the cafe that she works at, collected cakes from the cafe for her grandparents and even gave Haru a bath.  Then she had a stomach upset and was stuck on the throne until 2.30pm, when I hollered at her incessantly to hurry up or risk missing the train. She only left the house at 2.35pm! The traffic in KL is unpredictable and the traffic jam is almost perpetual. I had to help her lug her luggage to the Grab car as she was still hobbling after an injury sustained while bouldering with her sisters, cousin and second cousins on Sunday. I asked the Grab driver to try his best to send Sherilyn to the Sentral Station before 3pm.  Yup, I know it wouldn't really help to tell the driver to try his best coz if the traffic was bad, there's really nothing much that he could do. But I wanted the driver to drive a little faster and be aware that his passenger had a train to catch😂

With only 25 minutes left before the train takes off, will Sherilyn reach the station on time?! Even if she did, she had to walk down to the platform and search for her coach. It's Ok if she could walk briskly but she was hobbling and had three bags with her!  This is SO Sherilyn, my middle child who loves challenges and thrives in a complicated and challenging environment 😑

I was so worried that Sherilyn won't be able to cope with lugging so many things with an injured ankle.

While Sherilyn was in the car, I frantically went through the ETS app to check what time the next train was. There was a 3.30 pm train and I messaged Sherilyn to take that train if she missed the 3pm train.  Thank God Sherilyn managed to hop onto the train in the nick of time and she gloated to me that she was already inside the train 10 minutes before the train went off! 🙏😬

Super yummy banana walnut bread from Front Room, the cafe that Sherilyn works at, for my parents.

Sherilyn and my parents visited Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin) yesterday.

With granny at Kin Loong Valley.

My SIL from England treated everyone to a sumptuous dinner at Mun Choong Restaurant to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday.

May God bless my papa with many, many more happy birthdays.

The Unfortunate Damage of a Homemade Blueberry Cake

Sometimes life has a way of adding a sprinkle of unpredictability to our best-laid plans. Such was the case for Sherilyn, who found herself caught in the whirlwind of a cake catastrophe that she never saw coming.

Sherilyn was recently commissioned by her aunt who resides in England to bake a cake for her grandaunt’s birthday.  Despite her bustling schedule of work and dance classes, Sherilyn accepted the job and was determined to rise to the occasion. She decided to bake a blueberry genoise cake. With three punnets of fresh blueberries, the finest whipping cream, and her heart full of dedication, she embarked on this baking project.  

Sherilyn spared every available moment to craft a cake that would be remembered and enjoyed by her grandaunt. She meticulously sourced fresh blueberries and quality whipping cream for the cake. She made a luscious blueberry compote and the genoise cake a day earlier.  On the morning of delivering the cake to her grand-aunt, she woke up early to meticulously decorate the cake before leaving for work.

The beautiful blueberry cake before disaster struck.

As the final strokes of creativity were laid upon the cake, Sherilyn was ready to present her masterpiece to her grandaunt. In a twist of fate, however, the universe had a different plan. Entrusting her colleague, a part-time delivery driver with the responsibility of transporting the delicate creation to its destination turned out to be the turning point of this tale.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the cake's top layer succumbed to gravity's pull, resulting in a heartbreaking collapse. The news of the mishap reached Sherilyn through her delivery driver friend, leaving her with a mix of frustration and sorrow. The cake, a labor of love and dedication, lay in ruins, unable to be salvaged.

The damaged cake :(

While it was evident that the mishap occurred due to the unintended actions of the delivery driver (he may have driven too fast or dropped the cake), Sherilyn found herself in a challenging position. The delivery driver is her friend and this made it difficult for her to place blame and to express her disappointment, despite the financial loss and frustration she had to bear. 

After disaster struck, Sherilyn only remembered that his friend's car's air-conditioner was not working! It was truly a lack of foresight on both parties.

Sherilyn transformed the cake scraps, extra cream and blueberry compote into a yummilicious Cake Crumb Trifle.

To add to the complexity, the cake had spent too much time outside the fridge, rendering it unfit for consumption. Sherilyn thought that she could still salvage the cake for our own consumption but the cake had turned bad.

Despite the setback, Sherilyn showed remarkable maturity by swiftly arranging an alternative solution – she asked her delivery driver friend to purchase a cake from a nearby bakery as she had earlier informed her grandaunt that she was sending a cake to her. How could she tell her grandaunt now that the cake is damaged? 

It's a lesson learned to never underestimate the fragility of transporting a cake, even when it's in the hands of a well-meaning friend.  And even with the best of intentions, can sometimes result in disappointment and setbacks.

My advice to Sherilyn is to never send a fragile cake to anyone again using express delivery service.  We should instead deliver the cake ourselves or get the recipient to collect it from us. And if both parties are too busy to make a drive, then send something that's not fragile to the recipient.

I also found out after the incident that one of the items that will not be delivered by Grab Express is fragile items like cakes, although her friend is not attached to Grab.

Sherilyn's Journey as a Part-Time Cashier at a Popular Bakery

After her SPM exam in March this year, Sherilyn landed a part-time job as a cashier at a renowned bakery located in Gardens Mall. In addition to the attractive wages, this opportunity came with several incredible perks and benefits that made her experience even more rewarding. 

One of the key reasons why Sherilyn decided to join this particular bakery was the impressive wage package offered to part-time employees. Despite working only twice a week, she receives a fair salary that exceeds her expectations. Moreover, I am delighted to see that her employer goes the extra mile by providing EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) and SOCSO contributions, which ensures her future financial security.

1. Delicious Perks: Working in a bakery has its own delectable advantages. Sherilyn is fortunate enough to enjoy complimentary bread, buns, and cakes from the bakery. This not only satisfies her own taste buds but also allows her to share the delicious treats with our family. Additionally, she has the privilege of purchasing bakery products at a discounted staff price, giving us all the opportunity to savor the bakery's mouthwatering creations.

2. Company Dinner: A recent highlight of Sherilyn's experience at the bakery was the company dinner held at a Japanese restaurant in Gardens Mall earlier this week. To ensure all staff members could attend, the bakery closed a few hours earlier. Sherilyn had the responsibility of closing up the shop before joining her colleagues for the event. Not only did this dinner serve as a team-building exercise, but it also created a sense of camaraderie among the staff. The opportunity to bond outside of work strengthened their professional relationships and created a more positive work environment.

3. Surplus Treats: As a cashier, Sherilyn had the privilege of closing the bakery on occasion. This responsibility occasionally resulted in a surplus of unsold bread, buns, and pastries. On those lucky days, she was allowed to bring home the excess products. This meant that our family got to enjoy a delightful breakfast the next day, filled with fresh and mouthwatering baked goods. It was a lovely way for the bakery to minimize waste while simultaneously bringing joy to their employees and their families.

Delicious buns and cannellini from the bakery yesterday.

Sherilyn's part-time job as a cashier at the popular bakery in Gardens Mall has been an enriching experience for her. The combination of competitive wages, essential benefits, and delightful perks has made this opportunity truly special. Not only does she enjoy the financial stability and tasty treats, but she also gets to be a part of a supportive team that values its employees.

However, I’m quite sad that Sherilyn’s days at the bakery are numbered as she will soon resign to begin her architectural studies at Taylor’s University in August this year.  Nonetheless, I couldn't be prouder of Sherilyn for finding such a rewarding part-time job, and I'm grateful to the bakery for providing her with this remarkable experience.

Friday, 16 June 2023 - Meeting with Education Counselor @ Taylor's University

Embarking on a new educational journey is always an exciting and critical decision, especially when it involves pursuing a professional course like architecture. Today, I accompanied Sherilyn to Taylor's University, where we met with an education counselor to gather insights about the architecture course offered there. This visit proved to be an eye-opening experience, shedding light on the long and challenging road that lies ahead for Sherilyn to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered architect. 

Our meeting with the education counselor at Taylor's University was insightful and comprehensive. We were given detailed information about the architecture program, including the duration of each phase of study – the Foundation, Bachelor's, and Master's courses. It was evident that this course demands a considerable investment of time, effort, and money. The counselor also provided us with an overview of the costs involved, emphasizing the significance of planning for the financial aspects of higher education.

At Taylor's University today.  

Following our visit to the university, I reached out to a friend of mine who is a registered architect to gain further perspective on the architectural profession. My friend candidly shared that an architecture course is widely regarded as one of the most demanding academic pursuits, second only to medicine. She highlighted the rigorous and meticulous nature of the course, involving numerous requirements and examinations before one can become a registered architect. This conversation reinforced the idea that Sherilyn's path would not be easy, but it also served to underline the immense value and satisfaction that comes with achieving this professional milestone.

Recognizing the importance of gathering insights from those already established in the field, I arranged for Sherilyn to meet my architect friend for a face-to-face discussion next week.  This meeting will allow her to gain valuable advice, firsthand experiences, and a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards that lie ahead. I firmly believe that hearing from someone who has walked the path Sherilyn aspires to tread will greatly assist her in making an informed decision about her future.

Friday, 9 June 2023 ~ Random Updates

In the past couple of weeks, my world has been a whirlwind of responsibilities, health issues, and the absence of my part-time helper, Maria. It's been quite a ride, to say the least. 

Maria, my part-time helper, recently went back to Indonesia for a two-week break. With her absence, the burden of managing all the housework fell on my shoulders. From cooking and cleaning to chauffeuring, it has been a constant juggling act. Balancing work, parenting, and household chores has tested my multitasking skills and pushed me to my limits.

On top of this, I was hit by a stubborn and irritating cough that has plagued me for the past seven nights. Sleepless nights, a ticklish throat, and a congested chest have become my constant companions. Despite trying three different types of cough syrup, none have provided relief. If this persists, I have decided to see a doctor on Monday. 

The lack of or rather the absence of deep and uninterrupted sleep has taken its toll on my overall well-being. The persistent cough and lack of shuteye have left me with a nagging headache, constant fatigue, bouts of dizziness and aches in my ribs (from the constant coughing). I'm physically and mentally drained. This feels so much worse than getting Covid!  However, I remain hopeful that tomorrow will bring a better day and that I'll find the energy to tackle life's hurdles head-on.

The best piece of news I got this week is Sherilyn’s SPM results.  I didn’t set high expectations for Sherilyn to excel in her SPM. She had spent too much time dancing, baking, cooking, participating in endless competitions in and out of school, and on other stuff, thus didn’t put 100% effort into preparation for her exam. Thus, I didn’t expect much from her.  I thought to myself that as long as she passes the SPM and is eligible to get into college and uni, I’ll be happy.  But this girl surprised me with her results.  She did score several As, and even an A for Math, the subject that I thought was her weakest. And she got a B for Physics, the subject that she once failed in school.  

All glory to God. 

This Miss Ambitious has now decided to pursue A-Levels at MCKL and then a BA of Science in Architecture, followed by a Master's of Architecture.  I kept telling her to reconsider her decision as it's going to take at least 7 years of studies and several years of experience as an architect including fulfilling specific requirements and qualifications governed by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) before she becomes a registered architect and gets a prefix, "Ar" before her name.  This will entail a lot of hard work, not to mention money to fund her tertiary education.  Our Miss Ambitious has remained steadfast in her decision and told me that she will continue working part-time to partially fund her uni fees. 😮

Sherilyn made a big batch of blueberry pie and tarts as blueberries are in season and on sale now.  She made so many that we've been savoring the luscious blueberry tarts and pie every day for the past week.

Yummiest blueberry tart ever with the perfect pie crust and a generous filling of fresh blueberries and blueberry compote. She made the compote herself and it's pretty easy and fast to prep it.

Blueberry tarts for her colleagues in Front Room Cafe.

The eldest SIL from England came to visit and stayed with us for 5 days.  She commissioned Sherilyn to bake a blueberry tart for her to bring to a friends' meetup.

With a part-time job from Monday through Saturday, Sherilyn didn't have much time to bake the tart. She spaced out the baking steps over several days and managed to complete the tart in the morning on the day of my SIL's meetup with her friends, just before leaving for work.