Assorted Potato Salad

December 4, 2006 by tanling

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For mental note, today I bought 2 medium purple potatoes, 1 large pink potato, 3 new potatoes and 1 local sweet potato. Cleaned and steamed all potatoes together till soft but not mushy. While they were still hot, peeled off the skin. Break all hot potatoes by hand into bite size. Put all onto a plate. Squeeze some japanese mayonaise and sprinkle generous amount of finely cut spring onion. Mix and enjoy.

Brain Block

November 30, 2006 by tanling

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I will try to blog. Still grieving over Grandma’s death. I couldn’t bring myself to return to my routine. I felt like hibernating. I am not sure how to express my sadness by crying aloud. I have not been crying a loud since I was in primary school. Something just stopped me at that time.

Her gifts – box of beads, cranes and mandarin duck embroidery, though have gone, shall remain in my memory as the most precious skills and gifts.

On the final night
Waited on burning incense
Lighting one after another

In the early morning
Dark calm starless sky
As if it is mourning

She laid inside
Like in deep sleep
Resting peacefully

Why does sunlight
Rose so soon?
It broke my heart

She is going from
This home of ours
To her final destination

Morning light felt
Warm and serene
Soothing cool air

Is HE here?
Is HE with us?
Is she with HIM?

Beads, Paper Crane and Needle

November 26, 2006 by tanling

Rusty metal box
Used to store chocolates
Now filled up with colourful beads

White piece of paper
Folded neatly and precisely
That forms an elegant white crane

Leading the way
Followed by threads
To form a pair of mandarin ducks

These were Grandma gifts
Though she did not have much
My treasures

Her Last Moment

November 25, 2006 by tanling

Breathing great difficulty
Not responding at all
Liquid oozing from mouth

There was nothing
Anyone could do
Only HE could help her

Finally after hours
Had her last breathe
Eyes did not close

I can feel that moment
Still breaking my heart

That she had left
Not in happiness
Nor in peace

But with sadness
And tears
She went away

That was the moment
My heart shattered
Knees dropped on to floor

Called out to her
For the last time
But she was gone

Grandma’s Departure

November 25, 2006 by tanling

Tonight
Grandma passed away
After suffering for some time
She is no longer in difficulty nor pain
She has gone to be with Grandpa

Looking back
Grandpa was alive
Grandma fought against her illness
He was afraid
She may be gone before him
He called out to her
Not to leave before him
He was afraid his beloved
Who was frail and fragile
May leave him and go to her God

Then
Grandpa died
Left Grandma stood at his funeral
She was heart broken
Though quiet and strong

Now
They are together
Like when they were alive
Through thick and thin
Through quarrels and sorrow
Through happiness and joy
Joined rest of the deceased
Family and friends

Ying Ge Lou at The Curve

November 23, 2006 by tanling

Food at Hakka restaurant – Ying Ge Lou set this establishment in its own direction, ethnic chinese food. Fluffy and hot brown rice. Omellete in chinese wine soup which almost knock me off. I am a lousy drinker. Good claypot dishes.
Price $$$ Food 3/5 Ambience 4/5

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Singapore

November 22, 2006 by tanling

I like to stay at the beginning of Orchard Road which is more accessible by all means of transport, especially to River Valley, Chinatown, Little India and City Hall. There is also a bus #36 to Changi airport.

Preferred accomodation
*Hotel Rendezvous 
4-star hotel. If you don’t like to walk to much, this is a nice location. Map
*Hangout Hotel
No Frills like Air Asia. Book online-it’s cheaper. Map
*YMCA Hostel 
Youth hostel. Map

Countdown to Christmas: Spring Clean Home

November 22, 2006 by tanling

My most feared and worried task. Spring clean once for Christmas, Will’s birthday and Chinese New Year. I am in dilemma what to do first ever since I had 2 kids. Before the kids, spring cleaning was therapy to chase away stress. I will try to list down what’s to be done first…..

Pumpkin & Dried Fig Rice Porridge

November 18, 2006 by tanling

Steamed pumpkin flesh mixed with rice porridge that is still cooking with dried fig. Add a dash of soy sauce. Kids favourite. Today’s thick porridge is cooked by my other half with these instructions. So easy and tasty vegetarian porridge. Forgot to snap photos. Next time…

MPH Writer Circle Talk: E-Publishing by Fuji Xerox

November 18, 2006 by tanling

Attended E-Publishing talk for writers wannabe like me (I’m into food porn writing LOL). One important lesson learnt from today’s talk.. I can go into food porn comic too… LOL again. Japanese e-publisher www.popls.co.jp have been into self publishing for independent comic artist since 1972. Popls can deliver books, cd, merchandise and anything related to your comic work within few days and simple price structure. Rediscover www.lulu.com and http://www.iuniverse.com/ . Seems like iuniverse could be a problem if you are not in USA. A Singaporean got taxed coz iuniverse ‘export’ his book to him. Other than that problem iuniverse did an excellent job for the writer.

See MPH event details at http://www.mph.com.my/promotions/promotions.cfm#mega.

I had some 2-inch thick manuals digitally printed by a Nilai printer using Fuji Xerox inline printing machine that does binding as well. The results are excellent although price was high. My clients were pleased and I am happy.

Another digital printing exprience was with www.pixart.com.my for family Chinese New Year photo collection. Very good quality linen hard cover. Limited products offerred.

I discovered I-Mac shops also do digital printing for their clients. I will try to find time to make an album. Calendar(can put your face on your birth date), post cards, mini photo album for gifts, medium sized albums. Though the sample album at the shop is not of impressive quality, I will try to get a mini photo album done with them. Interesting pricing.