Out swinging !

Sorry Girls, out on my hammock with Mooch, enjoying the cool weather, love my cold toes, adore the cold breeze.

Will update my blog when I've regain my senses.....

SHIOK, SHIOK, SHIOK, SHIOK, SHIOK !!!!

Preview of Winter

The day I've been waiting for all year had finally arrived. I've been pinning and waiting and counting for the arrival of Winter and it's finally here. Well, it's not exactly Winter in Florida for at least another month or so but the drop of the temperature is a preview of the Winter for me.

Last night the temperature dropped and this morning it was 11 degs celcius and I was excited. The news forecast reported that tonight it'll dropped to 4 degs and I can't wait. I've turned off the A/C and Heater and opened all the windows in the house, allowing the cold wind kissing my face.

Folks here may think I am insane for embracing cold weather. However being born and raised in Singapore, all we had all year round are hot and humid summer days. Thus it's refreshing to experience freezing days. I am sure my BFF, Cecilia would be as excited as me if she's here.

I've took out the bed comforter and air it on the bed so I can be ready for some snuggle action with my pillows tonight. I couldn't be more excited about the cold weather. As for Paul, he's not a big fan of the cold but oh well, my pillows love to be cold and I LOVE having cold pillows.

Perhaps in the noon, I'll bring out my hammock, set it on my front pouch, put Mooch in it and swing happily and enjoy the cold breeze and the clear blue sky....

P/S : Ms Yap, the word is SHIOK ! *lol*

I AM the BAKER !

With the success of my Double Layer Chocolate Cake, my ego received an instant boost. Along with the encouragement of Paul, I decided to bake another cake. Like the mad scientist, this time I wanted to explore making a Lemon cake since I'm always a fan of the citrus family.

Being a newbie at baking, it is intimating for me when I pick up the whisk. From the initial start of mixing the ingredients to hand deliver the cake mix into the oven. The next 35 to 45 mins is a constant run to the oven and peep the "goods".

Even after I've gave the cake a good layer of icing, I am still nervous of the reviews.

Well, fortunately the kids in the neighbourhood (Jacob's Playmates) are all sugar junkie. As long as it's cake, it's brownies, it's cookies and it's SWEET, they all get excited and want more.

Check out the pics .....

P/S : I've received request from Picky Paul to make Cinnamon Streusel Muffin. That's going to be my next project.

Where are you ???

"Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where are you ?"
"Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Come out now ...."
"Moocher, Where are you ???"
"This is not funny, Come out now !"

Every morning when I wake up, Mooch will come and greet me. Like a routine, He will rub himself against my legs and meow. Like my shadow, he would follow me around the house. Even when I am sitting on the couch and updating my blog, that furball will lie down right beside me and take his cat nap.

Since Paul refused to let him come into our bedroom, when I go into the bedroom, Mooch just stay in the living room. Yesterday I panicked when I couldn't find him. Seriously, our house is not that big and we can basically take a glance and cover the entire house. Thus I was like on alert mode and was going around the house calling for him when I couldn't find him. I was worried that he was locked outside by Paul when Paul left for work.

After the hunt and calling Paul to check with him if he saw Mooch in the morning, Paul's reply was "No, I didn't see him." Hmmm....I don't think anyone want to kidnap a cat now when Thanks Giving is still a month away and I don't think Americans perfer Cats rather than Turkey.

Then I make another search around the house and this time, I found that furball hidding here. He is just so adorable that I couldn't resist and just have to take snap shots of him....

Look at his cute face...

The UNdomesticated Goddess Strike AGAIN !

If there is anything that interest me in the kitchen, it's the oven and the desire to bake.

I get excited with it comes to baking. When I compare it with cooking and it's oil splatters, the grease and the cleaining up, I can live with just eating a cake forever.

Last week, I decided to bake a cake. For the first time in my life, I wanted to bake a cake ! I have tried baking brownie and muffin and they were always easy and suddendly a cake seems like a challenge and I wonder, when I attend Home Economics class during Secondary School (High School) how come I never have the opportunity to bake a cake.

Then I remembered, when I was in Home Economics class or rather my entire life, I hated anything to do with being in the kitchen that involves cooking, baking or touching raw meat. TO get through the class, my masterplan was to pair up with a classmate who inspire to be Martha Steward and always want to steal the lime light.

Being the "considerate" partner, I always take a step back and sometimes two thus they can have all the attention that they want. Show off all they want, be in total and absolute control for all they want. As for my contribution, I sacrifice and take on the not so glamourous title as being The Kitchen Helper aka checking out what other teams are doing and doing PR with the rest of the class. Thank God on my wise pick on my partner, I never get a D and always smooth sail during class and practical test.

Yesterday I drove myself to the supermarket and grab more baking stuffs. With the success of my double layer chocolate cake, I now have the confident boost with baking. Well, the neighbour seems surprise when I told them it's the first time I bake and the kids are like "Wow, really ? But it's really good."

Yah, I know I have a hidden talent somewhere ! *lol*

Check out my double layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles....

Bargain Hunter

Last Sat, I dragged Paul out of the house and roam around town. We finally collected some of our wedding photos and by chance there is this Old Navy store and I just have to check it out.

Despite Paul's protest, I told the whinny baby to hush it and drag him into the store even thought I know he's about to throw a fit but he clearly know that I will rip his head off and present it as a sacrifice item for Halloween.

Since my arrival in the US, I've been known to the girls as a Bargain Hunter and a Negotation Queen. However, I would like to tell them that it's simply because I've realised the value of a 5 cent and it is bigger than a bull's cart wheel ! *lol*

Regardless, I've found this bermudas ... I know it's not exactly my style or as Paul's facial expression which is decoded as "yuck". Seriously with a price tag that scream USD2.99 I HAVE to get it ! Even thought it have a white back ground but it's thick enough that my panties aren't showing.

Hell, I was telling Paul, "I would wear it when people come visit at our place or during grocery shopping or to the beach !" And everyone know that the beach is not exactly my favourite place in the world but hey, now that the wedding is over, I kind of have the unspoken permission from my mom to get a tan. Seriously, now I really want to go to the beach !

Well, I got the USD2.99 bermudas and now OLD NAVY is my favourite store. It's not an every day deal that I can get something that dirt cheap and opportunity doesn't come twice and hey, a Best Buy is a Must Buy.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Last Sat, Paul invited one of his Best Friend, CJ & his GF - Lisa to our place for a BBQ. Lisa told me more than once that she's very adventurous with food. She frequent Vietnamnese restaurant with CJ and they enjoy spicy Thai food too.

I was like "Splendid ! New couple whom we can ask to try Asian food with us (beside the usual Chinese food)." Personally I enjoy trying all sort of cuisine (except Mexican). Like Paul said, "Diana never turn down food." I told Lisa that I've brought back an idiotic proof pack of Hainanese Chicken Rice mix from Singapore and she definately have to try it since it's one of the most famous cuisine in Singapore. It's like the saying "You've never been to Singapore unless you have tried the Hainanese Chicken Rice."

I have been putting it at the back of my head about making it. Another concern of mine is, the tester need to be adventurous with food cause that package is enough to serve 8 and I am not going to have Chicken Rice for the rest of the week if the testers don't enjoy it or have one spoonful and think it's enough.

Finally, now I have willing testers who gave me the thumbs up that they will eat it, I followed the instructions on the box and proceed with cooking.

Despite it's the first time that I made Chicken Rice, THANK GOD that it turn out well. I was so worried that I would mess it up. It's an even sweeter reward when both CJ and Lisa love it. Like they say "Taste like Chicken and Yummy too !"

Check out the pics....

So Handsome, So Cute, SO SO SO Adorable !

Finally, after the long wait, I've received photos of my adorable godson Ethan.
All I could say is, he's so handsome and adorable AND I wish I was there to carry him and welcome him to this world.

I hope he know there are a lot of people who love and adore him even from the other side of the Globe.

Me and Paul went to the store on Sunday and shop for Ethan. Gosh, I am amazed by the wide range of selections there and how every single one of them look so cute and all of them seem to have a tag on it that says "pick me".

I think we accomplished our mission by getting him clothings from head to toes. I was so dead set on getting him a musical toy but Paul was like "No, he's a boy and he don't need toys, he need more blue colours and sports theme clothings".

I know that Paul is neutral towards the Gay community but he have this insane believe that boys don't need soft toys or musical toys cause it will "cause" the child to be Gay ??!!!

Oh well, next time when I am not with Paul, I'll sneak in some musical toy for Ethan.... Believe me, it's not a "gay-ish" toy, I find it rather entertaining cause it produces nursery songs such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Rock-a-by-baby" etc.

Check out pics of my handsome Godson, with his Mama and other Godma - Cecilia.

I'm a Godmom NOW !

It's official, I'm promoted to be a Godmom !!!

On 3rd Oct 08 (Fri) at 11.40am, my heroine BFF, Tricia pushed my Godson - Ethan Loke into this happy world, weighing at 2.99kg (6.5lbs). Little did he know, this healthy boy is already surrounded by many who is waiting for his arrival and waiting to shower him with heaps of love.

I can't wait to meet my Godson. Already his Mommy told me he's a cute lad.

Despite the fact that I'm on the other side of the globe, I've spoken to the warrior Mom and she shared with me about her delivery process. I know it's rather cruel of me to be laughing away when she describe the pain along with the "torment" and I did apologise to her for my laughters but the words that she used are just way too funny for me to control and hold my giggles.

Now the next time when I walk pass Baby infant clothings and items, I know I have someone to buy them for - My Godson !

CONGRATULATIONS to the NEW Parents - Tricia & Winson !!!! Wooohooooooo.....

He's coming !

It is 10pm on a typical Thursday night and 3 hours ago at 7pm (which is 7am Singapore time), my BFF, Tricia rang me and told me she's having her breakfast and after that she'll head off to the labour ward.

I was like "WHAT ! Are you having the contractions ? Is it painful ? Why don't you go to the hospital NOW ? Are you alone ? "

She gave me the mother of all answer, "If I go now, I would be starved to death, so I want to eat now and after breakfast, I'll go. Moreover, I've been awake since 4am doing housework and I am fine."

Yes, I am shocked, that OCD woman is doing housework while going through contractions. How OCD can one be ???

Regardless, it's 10pm here and my BFF is in the labour ward pushing my Godson out into this happy world.

While she is pushing, I pray that her labour pain will be swift and pain free !

Damn, I wish I am on the next flight out back to Singapore to meet my Godson and my heroine BFF ....

Good Luck, Sister ! Remember that I am rooting for you !