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.

Saturday Chronicles: Of Breakfasts, Lost Wallet, and Gratitude

Today, our Saturday unfolded with a mix of delight and tension, from a lavish breakfast to a heart-stopping search for a lost wallet. 

The day kicked off with an impromptu decision by hubby to enjoy breakfast at a nearby café. The trio, consisting of Alycia, hubby, and myself, indulged in a sumptuous breakfast featuring chicken sando, chicken katsu rice bowl, scrambled eggs, and smoked salmon toast. The breakfast tableau was completed with delectable desserts—cream brulee burnt cheesecake and taro butter cake—accompanied by the comforting aroma of coffee.

Post-breakfast, hubby and I departed ways. He went to his office while I brought Alycia to get tau foo fa with sweet potato balls at a new tau foo fa dessert stall.  When we reached home, a shadow loomed over our cheerful morning. Hubby told me that he couldn’t find his wallet. Panic set in, prompting a frantic search throughout the house, condo car park, and even reaching out to the café staff and our ever-helpful guards at our condo.

In a bid to solve the wallet mystery, our guard went above and beyond, delving into the condo's CCTV recordings. Tension heightened as we eagerly awaited news from the electronic detective work. The clock ticked, and each passing moment intensified our worry.  Hubby and I could only imagine the trouble and inconvenience of having to go to the police station to lodge a report over the lost wallet with IC, driver's license, credit cards, cash, and other important documents inside.

Just as the prospect of a visit to the police station loomed, a wave of relief swept over us. Hubby discovered his wallet wedged behind the office printer. Gratitude washed over him, realizing the potential inconvenience avoided—the hassle of police reports, canceling cards, and the arduous process of replacing identification.

Chicken katsu rice bowl

Katsu sando

Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon sando

Creme brulee burnt cheesecake and taro butter cake.

Haru's Sibling

This is Haru's sibling, born from a different litter about a year after Haru was born. I think she's a female. She looks very much like Haru and has a very pretty face.  

Haru's sibling now loiters outside hubby's shop. Hubby told me that an office staff next door feeds this cat. She really needs a forever home to avoid a premature death from being mauled by stray dogs, flattened by a vehicle, or swallowed up by phyton snakes.  Haru's baby siblings from another litter were all swallowed up by a phyton snake last year.

This little kitty is very 'manja' towards me. Every time she heard me calling her, she would run towards me, and follow me around, as if begging me to bring her home. She always followed me back to my car and would try to jump inside.  I'm so tempted to bring this cutie home. My heart hurts to see such an adorable and friendly cat living on the streets, begging for love and pets. 

2 January 2024 - Bak Kut Teh Brunch

My impromptu brunch on the second day of 2024 was Bak Kut Teh - with only hubby and Alycia. 

Hubby had a sudden craving for Bak Kut Teh, so we went to this unassuming shop located next to our neighborhood, just 5 minutes drive away.  

Hubby likes the Bak Kut Teh. The broth is the thick kind with a mild Chinese herb aroma and not the usual thin and soupy kind with strong flavors of Chinese herbs. As for me, I like both types of soups - thick and thin, mild and strong herby taste. However, I can't overdo on BKT because of the herbs used to boil the soup. I've been advised by my gynae not to eat too much Chinese herbs because of my fibroid.

Chicken feet - Alycia's order. I'm surprised that this girl who goes "ewwwwww" whenever there are innards on the dining table loves chicken feet.  

Tua Bak Kia Bak Kut Teh

BLOCK D, 3, Lorong Jugra

Jln Klang Lama 

58100 Kuala Lumpur

Telefon: 03-7988 0251

Farewell 2023: A Month of Celebrations, Family Bonding, and Hopeful Beginnings

As the final pages of 2023 turned, our month-long journey of festivities, family gatherings, and joyous celebrations came to a close. From weddings to birthdays, Christmas to New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day, December was a tapestry woven with moments of love, laughter, and the warmth of family bonds. 

Relatives from distant corners of the world—New Zealand, England, Taiwan, and Hong Kong—graced us with their presence, turning our gatherings into reunions filled with laughter and love. 

Hubby's birthday on 30th December marked a highlight of our December festivities, celebrated at his favorite hotspot, Haidilao, Bangsar. The exceptional service and delectable hotpot offerings made for a memorable birthday feast.

This time we opted for a 4-variety of soup base for our hotpot at Haidilao.

Hubby's favorite marbled beef slices. 

New dessert spotted (so happy!).  When we went to Haidilao a few months ago, this DIY boba and jelly ice dessert wasn't available yet.

Boba and jelly bar with so many different types of boba, jellies and toppings.

Another new dessert spotted - soft-serve ice-cream in 3 flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and 2-in-1 vanilla and chocolate).

On New Year's Eve, our makan-makan journey continued at Teowchew Lao Er, a Michelin Guide-recommended Teochew porridge restaurant. Post-lunch, we indulged in desserts and drinks at Xiao By Crustz—a haven for pastry and dessert aficionados. The delicacies, almost too pretty to eat, added a sweet note to our year-end celebrations. The owner of this café is a good friend of hubby’s cousin.

Porridge at Teochew Lao Er, a porridge restaurant listed under Michelin Guide's Point of View.

Teochew desserts from Lao Er

Desserts comprise a variety of Entremets and pastries at Xiao By Crustz.

These two cuties are frozen ice-creams.

New Year's Eve dinner unfolded as a small yet heartwarming gathering at hubby's uncle's house. Relatives from near and far convened for a final celebration in 2023, sharing a feast of pizza for the younger generation, porridge, and pig stomach soup for the elders, and a variety of desserts for everyone.

As the clock struck midnight, the skies lit up with fireworks from our housing estate, creating a fitting farewell to the challenges of the past year. Though KLCC chose not to host its traditional display of grand fireworks because of global challenges, there were still fireworks in and around our neighborhood, which can be seen clearly from our unit.

I had to battle with insomnia on New Year’s Eve / wee hours of New Year’s Day as I went to bed way past my usual bedtime and also had too much caffeine circulating in my system from the endless cups of tea drank at Lao Er and at Xiao By Crustz. 

Looking ahead to 2024, my fervent prayer is for a year of better health, greater prosperity, and boundless joy for my family and yours.

May this new year be a chapter of hope, resilience, and dreams fulfilled for us all. Happy New Year!

Saving Big From Online Shopping

Last week’s online purchase of two acne-targeted skincare products for Cass yielded substantial savings for me. Besides the skincare products, I also bought cat food, toiletries, and cleaning products on Christmas Day when there were online sales on both the Lazada and Shopee platforms.

Online shopping has become my go-to method for procuring skincare products and for good reasons. The convenience, extensive options, and, most importantly, the potential for substantial savings make it an unbeatable choice. Last week's purchase is yet another testament to the financial benefits of online shopping!

Before diving into the savings, the total cost of the two Eucerin ProACNE Solution products was RM193.50 (BEFORE DISCOUNT).  After discounts, I only had to pay RM150.74.

Here's where the magic happened:

Free Shipping: there was free shipping for my purchase.  The parcel was delivered to me in just four days. If not for Christmas, the parcel would have reached me even earlier.

Store Voucher: A RM23.22 voucher from the Eucerin Official Store on Shopee further slashed the overall expense.

Cashback: Shopee, the platform where I made the purchase, rewarded me with 2044 coins, equivalent to a RM20.44 cashback, adding to the accumulated savings.

In total, I saved a substantial RM43.66 on these two skincare products, and this is not a one-time occurrence. Regular online shopping sales, discounts, and cashback offers continue to contribute to significant savings throughout the year.

Had I opted for the traditional route of purchasing these skincare products from a physical pharmacy, the cost would easily surpass RM200. The substantial price difference underscores the economic advantage of embracing the online shopping trend for me. And this is the reason why I hardly go to the malls now. Instead, I now spend at least an hour every day browsing Shopee and Lazada and adding items to my shopping carts. Best destresser ever 😁

A Slice of Italy in Malaysia: Savoring the Delight of iMarigliano Panettone

Every year, the arrival of panettone signals the beginning of the festive season in our household. A gift from my sister-in-law in England, this beloved Italian delicacy has become a hallmark of our Christmas celebrations. This year, the panettone's origin traveled even further, gracing our home directly from Italy.  The two loaves of panettone including shipping from Italy cost RM400.

The star of this festive package? Two luscious loaves of iMarigliano Panettone, one in the classic flavor and the other generously adorned with the richness of chocolate. 

As we unwrapped the carefully packaged panettone, the aroma of butter, eggs, dried fruits, and a hint of alcohol wafted through the air. What awaited us inside were two masterpieces from iMarigliano—one in the classic flavor and the other a decadent chocolate variant. The moment we sliced into these golden-brown beauties, we knew we were in for a treat.

The texture of iMarigliano Panettone is nothing short of extraordinary. Unbelievably soft and fluffy, each mouthful is a delicate dance of chewy softness and rich, robust flavors. Every bite is a testament to the craftsmanship behind this Italian creation, showcasing the perfect balance of ingredients that create an unrivaled taste experience.

Traditionally, the panettone sent by my sister-in-law lasted for a month or two, becoming a delightful post-Christmas treat. However, the iMarigliano Panettone proved too irresistible. In just two weeks, both loaves disappeared, without a chance to make their way into the fridge. 

As we bid farewell to this year's panettone, the anticipation for the next Christmas has already begun. The memory of iMarigliano Panettone's exquisite taste lingers, creating a yearning for the festive season to come around once more. 

Our Meals

We've not really cooked for more than two weeks. Even though the mil came back from New Zealand two weeks ago, she's been under the weather. With so many celebrations, weddings, and SIL from Hong Kong still in KL, we have no chance to cook. I had to give away all the organic veggies that I bought to Maria before they turned bad. We also have food from hubby's kitchen almost daily. I'm not complaining, in fact, I'm SO glad that we don't have to cook coz cooking is just not my jam. I don't mind cooking but the cleaning up just turns me off 😝.  I rather spend the one hour jogging outside vs. cooking and washing and getting all stressed up over it. 

These are some of the excess food from hubby's kitchen for us recently:

Sushi platter.

Chicken bolognese with colorful spiral pasta.

Chicken and beef satay.

Carrot cake with frosting. These are not too sweet and very yummy.

Clockwise from top left: Vegetarian Mee Siam (very aromatic with lots of fresh herbs), blanched broccoli and baby corn (cooked at home), Ayam Goreng Berempah (fried chicken thighs with spices) and Nasi Lemak.

On most days, all I need to place on the dining table is a veggie dish, which I usually blanch and season with olive oil or grape seed oil and soy sauce, or just make a one-pot chicken soup or miso soup with lots of veggies, meat, and meatballs.

As some of hubby's overseas relatives are still in KL, we're going to De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan for lunch tomorrow. So looking forward to Chef Wan's food again, though many of his popular dishes are pretty similar to what hubby's chef whips up every day.

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 – Last Day of School

As the academic year draws to a close, today marks a significant milestone for my youngest daughter, Cass, as it's her last day of school. While national schools continue classes until Friday, Cass attends a Chinese independent high school, concluding her Junior Three journey a bit earlier. The day unfolded with a unique celebration as Cass and her classmates embraced the end of the school year, creating memories that will linger long after the final bell.

With an early dismissal, Cass and her classmates seized the opportunity to celebrate the completion of Junior Three by heading to the shopping malls. It's a day of camaraderie and joy, especially for those whose paths will diverge next year as they move on to different classes. Today is a day to revel in the bonds formed during this academic chapter.

Cass has not only completed the school year but has also excelled academically. Her final exam results secured her a position among the top three in her class, a testament to her dedication and hard work. The school acknowledged her achievements by awarding her a RM100 book voucher, recognizing her commitment to academic excellence.

Next year holds new possibilities for Cass, and despite being allocated to the Science stream, she has decided to opt for the Commerce stream. This decision means delving into the realms of Economics, Commerce, and Accounting. Cass' decision to join the Commerce stream echoes the academic path of her elder sister Alycia. 

With a well-deserved two-and-a-half week of holiday stretching ahead, I know Cass has plans to spend a significant portion of her time at the skating rink, honing her skills in figure skating. She would love to spend the entire day on ice if her dad and I would allow her.

As Cass bids farewell to Junior Three, it's astounding to realize that she will be entering Senior One (Form 4) next year. Time, as they say, flies swiftly. The journey through high school is a tapestry of growth, learning, making new friends, and new beginnings. Today's celebration marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, filled with anticipation for the adventures Senior One will undoubtedly bring.

Cass' after-exam treat at Subway a few Saturdays ago.

Subway is Cass' all-time favorite fast-food and I think the sandwiches are a tad overpriced.

The set that Cass chose came with a complimentary photo of Cha Eun Woo, one of Korea's top k-pop stars and current ambassador of Subway.

After Subway, Cass requested more junk  food and pestered me to bring her to Family Mart for a sofuto. She wanted to try the new flavor, which is Taro and it was surprisingly very yummy. I ended up getting another sofuto, for myself 😐
Then we headed to Books and Bobs, a new bookstore at our hood and I got her a pre-loved novel at RM7.

Is The Cloudy White Coating On Blueberries, Grapes and Plums Safe To Eat?

I have never failed to wonder whether the cloudy white coating on blueberries, grapes and plums are safe for consumption. What is this white coating? I often wondered whether the white coating is chemical sprayed onto the fruits to prevent them from being attacked by bugs or chemical used to preserve the fruits. 

Today as I washed a punnet of blueberries and popped the sweet berries into my mouth, my curiosity got the better of me.  I Googled for an answer to quell my doubts and curiosity. 

The white waxy coating is called bloom, and it's there to protect the fruit from damage and disease. 

It's natural and it's not sprayed on artificially. The coating protects the berries from any external damage. The bloom, otherwise known as epicuticular wax, helps stop bacteria and fungal spores from sticking to the fruit and spoiling them.  In fact, all fruits are coated in bloom - and it's just because blueberries are so dark that it is more visible. 

Although the white film may scare some off,  shoppers should in fact actively seek blueberries covered in the waxy coating as it means they are fresher.

The waxy coating does such a good job of sealing in moisture and preserving freshness that farms don't wash them before they reach the supermarket because they don't want to remove any of the wax.

If you, like me, have always been having the same worry whenever you eat blueberries and grapes, I hope this post gives you some peace of mind now. But don't forget to give your fruits a good rinse under running tap water before you enjoy them.

Goodies From New Zealand and Ipoh

The MIL is back in KL after staying in Auckland for two months with her third daughter and family. As with all her overseas trips, she brought back loads of goodies from New Zealand for us.

A table full of snacks:

There are some more goodies in the fridge - huge wedges of gourmet cheeses, a big bag of almond, sourdough bread, almond butter, gourmet ham, and much more.

Whittaker's! Our favorite brand of chocolate, after Lindt. Our favorite is Almond Gold.

Two tubs of 1kg 10+ UMF Manuka honey. These will probably cost close to a thousand Ringgit in Malaysia.

Pure Delish - this is my favorite New Zealand brand for healthy snack bars and granola.

Cake Kits for Sherilyn, our house baker. But I doubt she will have the time to bake now. Baking will have to wait until she has her semester break.

Lucas Paw Paw ointment and Manuka honey lip balm

Keto-seeded crackers - these pair really well with the NZ gourmet cheese.

A very pretty white Michael Kors sling bag for Sherilyn.

And these handmade fruit cakes and pandan kaya are from Ipoh. My younger brother went back to Ipoh last week and lugged these back for us. My 80-year-old dad's kaya is the best in the world. He painstakingly stands next to the hot stove for almost an hour to stir the kaya mixture in a pot to churn our smooth kaya that's not too sweet. 

The yummy fruit cakes are infused with rum, and have the perfect balance of butter cake mixed with dried fruits, figs, and almond nibs. 

Delightful fruit cake with a lovely nutty texture and boozy kick.