Packing for my hospital admission

The anxiously awaited for my Ovarian Cyst surgery almost on time. My pre-admission is tomorrow 8:30am at Sime Darby Medical Centre and my surgery was scheduled at 1:30pm in the same day.
Here is my check list to bring on for my hospital stay :
• My pre-admission documents
• A sweater ( In case felt cold when warded )
• Eyeglasses ( will not wearing my contact lenses )
• A few pair of socks ( in case felt cold at night )
• Lip balm - to keep lips moist as I'm not allowed to take any fluid after 10am
• A massager ( to relief any backache )
• Toiletries such as tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, facial cleanser and etc.

Till then for today blog update and gotta rest and sleep early for tomorrow . Pray for me yea :-)

Everything is in order!

July 2009 we went to Redang Island, while in August 2010, we went to Cameron Highlands. So this year,2011... the long waited yet excited trip, Land below the wind, We are coming!!!

In less than 24 hours, we will be flying to Kota Kinabalu courtesy by Air Asia. We will spend our six days five night in KK!!!

Check - checking - checked :

1. Air Asia ticket! Paid since July'2011

2. Transport from Klang to LCCT - arranged by Jackson

3. Transport from T2 to Marina court - booked from Susan

4. Marina Court Condo - booking done for 3 days 2 night

5. Philip Garden Chalet - Fully paid for 1 night stay

6. Hyundai Grand Starex - Fully paid for 4 days renting

7. Tune Hotel - Fully Paid

8. Food - Ultimate Guide

Jackson Tan, Adrian, Kevin, Ah Boon, Anne, Lay Wan & Emily.... We're set to go! Enjoy our trip guys!!!

Fried Eggplant with dried prawn sambal

Adapted this recipe from here.

Old Cucumber Soup 老黄瓜汤

I love soup cause it is useful addition to a meal. Old cucumber soup can helps on cooling and beneficial for health.

Ingredients :

1 old cucumber (slice half lengthwise, remove seeds and cut each half into chunks)

Spare ribs (depending on preference)

12 seedless rate dates (soak in water)

1 medium pot of water (about 1500ml)

Salt, to taste

Method :

1. Bring water to boil. Blanch the pork ribs in boiling water for a few minutes (to remove scum bits). Drain the pork ribs and set aside.

2. In a medium pot, add all the blanch pork ribs, old cucumber and red dates. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmers the soup over the low hear over 40 mins. Season with salt to taste.

A news

Had a medical check up this morning, I'd say "routine" check up for every woman but this is my very first time! I reached Mak Women specialist and fertility center, Kuchai Lama at 10 mins before 10am, after registered my personal particulars and getting my weight count, the receptionist ask me to have a seat while waiting for my turn to meet Dr. Mak.

Actually the reason why I went to Women specialist center is because I felt a bit pain in my lower tummy and it felt like a lump inside.... HmMmmm.... Hope everything goes well ya!

After been waiting for an hour, finally someone call my name.... Jenny Chew~~ Oh, it's my turn now!

Doctor Mak, a middle aged doctor with his friendly assistant welcoming me with a sweet smile when I step into the room. I've told Doctor Mak about a lump that I felt inside my tummy and he smile at me and said : Will it probably a baby inside?! Hahaha (Impossible....Impossible....) After checking my blood pressure test, Doctor Mak request me to do a X'ray and Pap Smear. The assistant lady ask me to take off my skirts with also underwear too and request me to go up to the bed with leg open widely. Opsss.... so shy! Then, just after everything are ready then Doctor Mak comes to check on my stomach and do an X-ray for me. While the thing roll over my tummy.... then this is what inside my tummy....

Yeah....It is a ovary cyst with 7-10cm long.

what is ovary cyst? An ovarian cyst is any collection of fluid, surrounded by a very thin wall, within an ovary. Any ovarian follicle that is larger than about two centimeters is termed an ovarian cyst. An ovarian cyst can be as small as a pea, or larger than an orange.

As for mine, the size is about 7-10cm, which is slightly larger than an orange, what a shock when the doctor said this to me! Doctor Mak advise me to go for operation and the cost might cost me around 7-10k! Blurpppp!!! I was so freightened as well as worry that how am I gonna bear the operation cost when suddenly I realise that I had brought 2 types of insurance, so without hesitate, I called my insurance agent and told him about the situation. How relieved I was upon hearing that I'm covered for this surgery cost. At least I felt better & need not to worry about the cost.

So now, I gonna start to prepare for my surgery after receiving my medical report this coming Thursday. Felt nervous when I think of the surgery. My insurance agent recomend me to go Sime Darby Medical Centre (formerly Subang Jaya Medical Centre SJMC) and I hope the doctor as well as the surgery will go smoothly.

Pray for me ya.... Amen.

Cheese cake

I just realized that I had one baking blog that haven't been updated yet since last weekend. I recalled it when I saw my housemate on her baking session this morning. I bought this NAGO Cheese cake flour from Brunei on my vacation last month.

Baking ingredients all ready to go....

Beat the eggs with butter and mix well.
Add Nago Cheese cake flour and mix for about 6-10 mins.
Bake it at 200'c for 25 mins (I bake it at 180'c only)

After 25 mins..... did my Cheese cake come out right?
A very simple n easy way to do... but....guess what happened to my cheesecake?! I over looked of the flour measurement. Woots! I supposed to use 225g of the flour but I finished it all.... my Cheese cake end up with very very sweet in taste! I hope I won't repeat the same mistakes again on the measurement in the future.

Brunei Prawn Crackers

When I was small, I'd always enjoy my time alone to munch prawn crackers. My paternal family always buy it from Brunei when they came back to Labuan. Prawn crackers are one of my favorite keropok and it is also my Chinese New Year's delight food. Well, right now, I miss so much the Brunei prawn crackers like I used to enjoy it in my childhood.

I just came back from Brunei last month and this was a gift from Kyle's maternal family for my first visit to Brunei. Thanks!

To deep-frying the crackers takes skill. Use plenty of oil with controlled heat or else crackers will not expand much. Before that, I dried the crackers in the sun so that can get crunchy crackers. It also can be served by dipping sauces.

I get 2 canister full of crackers resulting from just one packet of prawn crackers and will bring one of it to office tomorrow for my colleague to try out this Brunei Prawn crackers.

An unexpected surprise

Today is not my special day; neither my birthday nor any memorable day. I receive an unexpected surprise from someone. In fact, sometimes the smallest gift, financially, can bring the biggest smile to someone's face and definitely warm our heart...

5 little tiny blue creatures.... What a smurfs smurfs! The one wearing in red is Papa Smurf, he always busy making magical spells and potions in his laboratory. Vanity Smurf wears a flower in his cap, he is never without a mirror in sight constantly worried about his appearance. Brainy Smurf seems expert in everything but he's usually wrong. Smurfette love flower and pink color was the first female in the village and she was created by Gargamel but Papa Smurf's magic change her nature. Clumsy Smurf is who often tripped up by his own two feet and he is Brainy's best friend.

Heartfelt and sincere, I wanna say.....

....and some farewell message to you.... Wish you Good Luck with your new job and lots of success in year ahead! God Bless You.

Hold My Hand....

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.

The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter,

"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad.. YOU hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me,

chances are that I may let your hand go.

But if YOU hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens,
you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.

So hold the hand of the person who loves you rather than expecting them to hold yours...

God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be...

This message is too short.......but carries a lot of feelings!

Pandan snow skin moon cake

This entry came almost a month late but it's better late than never, right? Due to some commitments earlier, I'm not able to test the moon cake try-out session on time, so just after the charity run at Taiping then only I able to start my moon cake project ^_^ Before this, I always have the impression that making mooncake is something that involves very complicated steps. After doing some searching I have finally found some basic recipe for first-timer like me to try out!

I tried moulding the mooncakes but it was not as easy as I thought. I couldn't achieve a smooth surface, the snow skin looked all cracked and and dry. I think that is because the way I mixed and kneaded the dough. I should knead it longer so that I can get a very smooth skin. Somehow, my moonies skin was very thick which I should make it thinner instead.

I made 15pcs moonies from this recipe!

Durian Ice cream

I've been very crazy making ice cream recently. I bought some Durian to make durian ice cream. And you can guess who I got the most support from... Mamma our Durian Lover. The result was very creamy and she love it so much.

Durian flesh 350g
Sugar 4tbsp ** adjust accordingly !!
Fresh Milk 100ml
Fresh whipped cream 70g


1. Blend durian flesh, sugar and milk in a blender till smooth.
2. Add in fresh whipped cream and mix well.
3. Pour into a container and freeze overnight or until set.

Dragon Fruit Ice cream with peach

After all, had lotsa of fun in baking. I just had the urge to try my hand at homemade Ice cream. I decided to embark recipe from 淇淇快乐厨房之旅 using the leftover of Dragon fruit in the fridge after my last baking of mini fruit tarts.

Ingredients A:

130g Dragon Fruit - Blended into puree

60-80g Isomalt (Sugar replacement from Cosway)

2 tablespoon of sugar (You can skip this if u're using Isomalt)

1/3 lemon, squeezed out the juice

Ingredients B:

250g whipping cream

Method :

1. Put ingredients A into a saucepan, stir and bring to boil at low heat until slightly thick. Remove from heat and leave to cool.

2. Whisk whipping cream until stiff. Add in Dragon fruit mixture and stir well.

3. Pour Ice cream mixture into container and mix it with some peach cube.

4. Freeze it overnight or until firm.

What a simple recipe to try out!

Mini Fruit Tarts with cream-cheese filling

I have been itching to make fruit tarts for some time now. After baking Mini fruit tarts with whipped cream filling last few days. I made another fruit tarts with cream cheese filling again since I have leftover fruits in fridge. I love the color of fruit tart and I love anything with fruits topping now! I love the tasted of it!
Sister want me to try out for Blueberry cheese next time and myself thinking to make Fruit Tarts with custard filling. Can't wait to make another tart with another filling! Nyumm...nyummm~~

Mini Fruit Tarts with whipped cream filling

It's been quite sometime since my last baked. I love anything with fruits topping! So, I give it a try for this time. I love fruit tarts! Do You ?

Ingredients for sweet crust pastry :

225g plain flour

100g butter

70-80g icing sugar

1 egg

whipping cream for filling

Fruits for topping - Dragon fruit, Kiwi, Grape & Peach

Method to prepare the pastry :

1. Combine flour, sugar, butter and egg in a food processor. Mix and blend until a smooth dough is formed.

2. Put into plastic bag and wrapped in cling film. Chill in the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes.

3. After chilled, roll out pastry on a lightly floured table top.

4. Cut out circles to fit tart mould, then carefully line the greased mould with the pastry.

5. Press and trim the edges.

6. Prick the base with a fork.

Method to bake a pastry:

1. Bake the tarts at 180-200c for about 10-13mins. Remove from the oven to cool.

2. Add a little whipping cream for the tart filling and decorate your tarts with the fruits as topping.

Happy Baking !

Cashew Nut Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients

• 3 oz (75g) cashew nuts
• 1 green pepper, sliced.
• Chicken, cut into thin finger-length strips
• 3 tbsp groundnut oil
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• Carrots

Method

1. Heat wok/frying pan until hot (medium heat), then dry-fry cashew nuts for 1-2 minutes until brown. Remove nuts and set aside.
2. Increase heat and add groundnut oil, then add garlic and let it sizzle for a few seconds, then add pepper,carrots and chicken and stir fry for 2 minutes.
3. Continue to fry until the chicken is tender and all the ingredients are evenly glazed.
4. Stir in the sesame oil, cashews and spring onions.
5. Serve immediately.

Steam Fish with Soy Sauce

The other day, I bought a fresh fish from the market. The fish monger cut it nicely for...mMmm good service! Steaming is the purest and the most delicious way to cook fresh fish, so I choose this way for my fishy as our dinner tonite.

Ingredients:

Medium size fish

Ginger - thinly slice

2 red chili

1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Combine the fish with ginger, chili, soy sauce, wine and sesame oil, cooking oil and steam on a high heat until it cooked.

2. Top the fish with coriander leaves and serve immediately.

Lotus Root Soup with Pork Ribs and Peanuts

Well, fall is here and with the gloomy weather (at least it is cold for me), now is the perfect time to enjoy yet another bowl of steaming hot soup from my kitchen! This time, I am featuring a well-loved Cantonese slow-boiled soup with Pork Ribs, Lotus root and peanuts as the main ingredient.

Ingredients:
(serve 3-4)

8 inches worth of spare ribs (or more depending on preference)

1 medium size lotus root (scrubbed, peeled and sliced thinly)

1/2 packet of peanuts (soaked in water)

8-10 dried red dates (soaked in water)

2tsp wolfberries (soaked in water)

1.5 liters water

Salt, to taste

Method:

1. Cut the pork ribs into short lengths and set aside. Peel off the skin of lotus root and cut into slices.

2. Blanch pork ribs in the boiling water for about 5 minutes, to remove the dirty bits so that you have clear soup later. Rinse blanched pork pieces and set aside.

3. Soak the peanuts, dried red dates and wolfberries in warm water.

4. Bring the pot of water to boil and add in all the ingredients. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until well cooked. Add salt to taste.

Sweet & sour fish

Fish and Vegetables:

1 fish ( I choose Ikan bawal hitam)

1 bell pepper, cut into wedges (I prefer a green one, for color)

1 tomato (small), each cut into pieces
Pineapple cubes
1/2 Carrot, cut into cubes

Sauce:
3-4 tbsp sauce chili
3-4 tbsp sauce tomato
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp plum sauce

1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water (this should be separate from the rest)

oil for deep-frying

Method:
1. Deep-fry the marinated fish until golden brown, then drain (e.g., on paper towels or rack). Set aside.
2. Mix together the ingredients for the sauce, except for the last item, which should be in a seperate bowl.
3. Stir-fry garlic in about 2 tbsp of oil for about 30 seconds. Add the green bell pepper, carrot, pineapple and fry for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes for a quick fry. Add the sauce and bring it to a boil. Add cornstarch-water mixture, stirring to thicken. Turn off heat.

4. Add the fish and mix everything with the thickened sauce. Serve.

Facebook Video Calling

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the "awesome" announcement he'd teased the week before: video chatting through Facebook.

Some steps by which you can enable Facebook Video Calling feature.

• A new page will opened, Click on Get Started button on that page.
• A new Pop up window will be opened asking you to setup video calling. Click on Setup Button.
• It will start downloading an executable (.exe) file names Facebook Video Call Setup.exe which is quite small in size (482kb).
• Once the downloading gets finished, just runs that file. Facebook Video Call plug-in installer will run and it will install the video calling feature on your facebook account. It will take hardly 2-3 minutes to install completely (highly depended on your internet speed).
• Once the Setup is complete, you are ready to enjoy your first video call on facebook.

Enjoy your video call ;-)