28th August

... marks my 3 years of being officially Mrs Yap.

... and it also means that Jaden has one more month to turning 3 years old.

28 has always been 'the' number in the SimonYap clan. Almost everything happens on the 28th, or maybe that is what I like to think but all happy memorable moments do fall on that number for us.

This year, today, Hubby had work to do so he was out of the house till like just an hour ago -2am. Hubby turned 'whore' for a day. *sigh* but he took Jaden and I out for dinner last night though to make up for it.

I didn't really mind that we did not go out for a dinner celebration because we can have dinners at nice restaurants whenever wherever so being able not to do so today didn't really matter afterall but the Hubby did try to make up for it last night.

He took me out for dinner last night at FullHouse (can you believe it? its actually my first time there but nothing to shout about =( ) and of course my favourite A&W waffle with double scoop ice-cream. Double Yay!

Although he could not spend THE day with me, it was alright because I got to download two episodes of the Korean drama and watched it in peace without having to be chased off the computer and do housework at my own pace.

After putting Jaden down for nap, I quickly whipped up dinner for the boy. I bought a slice of dory fish fillet for only RM4 something and cooked it ala Oriental Buttered fish style for him. The boy finished every single bite of his rice and fish. Must be either really hungry or really good. I like to think its the latter. *so not shy* LOL

I didn't have much appetite today and wasn't feeling hungry so I only cooked myself a bowl of instant noodle to eat near midnight. I can't believe it myself that I was full from the scrambled eggs and half a sausage Hubby cooked for brunch. Maybe that is how I lose my weight without even realizing. Damaging to my health I know, but sometimes when the appetite is not there, nothing taste good in the mouth.

I packed the remaining blueberry muffins I made last night, after Hubby had an additional 7 pieces, all for EddyHan. There will be more in the future. I should stock up on more pre-mixes or flours and what that is needed to make muffins from scratch.

Thankfully this weekend, Jaden need not go to school because its a term break. As if-lah his classes are like 5 days a week / busy konon but its only one hour once a week and well, he has a one week break. Woo Hoo for the mommy. Need not wake up that early. =) Next week he will be upgraded to another class fit for 3 year olds. No more mixing with the 2 year olds. I hope his classmate Isabelle will join the class back. Isabelle and her family are quite a delight to have in class.

Birthday present came early this year for me. In fact, it was like bought in a 5 second decision. An immediate must buy invitation so why not right? As for this anniversary, Hubby already bought me a dress like a month ago so what more can I say? I am lovin' it!!!

So well, let me take this opportunity to wish my Hubby a very 'Happy Anniversary'.

Love love.

Blueberry Muffins

Guess when they said once you start, you'd never stop.

Baking can be real addictive and therapeutic at the same time, yes?

*sigh* I was itching to bake for quite some time after my chocolate moist cake and finally, today, I got down to it. Hubby ain't home and Jaden was busy entertaining himself with some DVD box covers so I quickly whipped up the Blueberry Muffin, premix by Betty Crocker.

All I needed to add on was a bunch of blueberries, which I bought fresh ones from Grocer Village, fresh milk (full cream), 2 eggs and 50gm of butter. Betty Crocker actually had prepared a can of blueberries inside the box but I opt for fresh ones instead because I believed fresh is always best when it comes to fruits, meat and vegetables.

36 pieces again but this time round, I am giving away some to a friend because I know nobody else would really touch the muffins except me. Hubby aint a very big fan of my baking and cooking cause I tend to whip funky recipes, too funky in fact for Hubby. He chipped a tooth because my waffles I heated up in the oven. *oopsie*

I learnt one lesson here. If the blueberries are baked a little too long, they will explode inside the muffin, some might leak out on to the pan if its put too side. Note to self for future baking. *gRin*

Well, I liked the blueberry muffins I baked. Therefore, I am a satisfied girl today.

:: updated :: Hubby likes the blueberry muffin too. Not crazy about it but he likes them and he ate quite a few. DOUBLE YAY!!!

Cake anyone?

Today I attempted to bake the super moist chocolate cake with Betty Crocker pre-mix. I went to the bakery utility store and got myself a pack of chocolate chips to put inside the cake I visioned myself baking.

As usual, it should be fool-proof right with pre-mix ingredients where I only need to add 3 eggs, a little water and vege oil/butter.

My niece, who had been staying with me for the past few days helped me scattered some chocolate chips in and smoothen out the batter in the cake pan before we decorated it further with more chocolate chips after the batter was nicely spread out in the cake pan.

This time round, it took about 40 minutes -45 minutes to be nicely done but I got a little carried away with the rack space and it was a rack too high so the top of the cake had a slightly burnt effect and taste of course. *sigh* and to think it is supposed to be fool-proof. Nothing escapes my arsed brain.

Surprisingly it was rather moist inside but since the upper crust was quite hard, Hubby poked fun at me and said everything that I put inside the oven would automatically come out as biscuits instead. *shakes head*

So here, I leave you guys with some pictures. Its one baking attempt that I think I failed. Nevermind, there will be other attempts next time until I master baking a cake from scratch instead of using pre-mix.

For now, I shall just settle for pre-mixes first.. *grin*

LeeHom 2010 : Part 2 (Aug 22)

pic credit to MelC

My niece and I got ready by 330pm and we fetched Lianny at about 345 pm so we can reach One Utama by 4pm, get ourselves a parking space and when we reached the Central Park Avenue, the line was crazy! We didn't even know which queue to follow so we split into two lines..

:: eMs & my niece, Sherlyn ::

:: Lianny with her cousin ::

Lets just say after being burnt in the sun while lining up to go into the showcase area, we got burnt again while standing in the showcase area. The organization planned real well for all the fans to line up and go in but well, they weren't that perfect afterall when the superstar turned up. Everything went chaotic and priority was not given to us in the showcase area.

pic credit to Jess Fong

Anyway, before that, while being some grilled human meat waiting for the superstar to arrive, mind you, it was only 445pm when we went in and the sun was shining down on us. We all waited patiently until the sun set behind the trees and of course, superstar has to turn up half hour late at about 630pm.

pic credit to Jess Fong

The horror thus begun, when this girl in front of me decided to puke at the very sight of LeeHom. LOL. Just kidding. It was just way too hot and stuffy and the heat got to us and she was just one of the few ones to suffer the effect first. Then the pushing came, everybody on tiptoes, only heads were seen and some shorter fans has to peek from other people's camera screen instead to see what is happening in front.

from my camera point of view

There were some that fainted too.. and its just so disappointing that the organizer did not even prepare a first aid medic team to be on standby. I guess that was my only complaint. Queue line for autograph sabo-ed by audience who werent in the showcase area can't be helped... People can get really ridiculous like that so I don't blame the organizers. Just that it would be nice to know that the organizers gave a thought about people's safety and not just LeeHom's safety (security men all over).

I know its not my place to say this but we are also fans. Just that we didn't join the Homaniacs (official Malaysia LeeHom fan club) but still... we are fans. So why the double standard when it comes to autograph signing?

I nearly fainted from the heat and to add on salt to the wound, there was no wind at all that night and LeeHom suddenly announced that he has to go to toilet. RIGHT.. I would have like very much to stay on though to get his autograph but Hubby messaged me that Jaden fell right smack down on his face from the dining table and that dampened my enthusiasm. I wanted to get home as fast as possible to see to my baby boy. I guess motherhood took over the school-girl mode.

pic credit to JessFong

My niece, Grace and I ciao-ed home first while Lianny stayed on to get his autograph, which she succeeded. It was really nice of LeeHom to stay on to try to sign every fan's album when he himself had to rush off to the airport asap. There will always be next time I guess but well, seeing him up close and personal the day before was enough to satiate my fanatism for the superstar.

:: Grace ::

He is indeed one handsome man 34 years of age, very talented too and that I hope he will continue to give us beautiful music as long as he can. In truth, although hes good looking and all, I really like him for his musical talents. Nothing more.

This event was made happened by Sony Music Malaysia.

this was actually how far we were from the stage

So, thank you to Sony Music Malaysia, Sony Ericsson, Sony Walkman, One Utama and MY.fm for making LeeHom's promotional tour to Malaysia a success.

and once again, thanks to Mr. R too ...

LeeHom 2010 : Part 1 (Aug 21)

Hearing about LeeHom coming to KL was already enough to get me excited so I went online and tried to google his activities when he is down. The main event was for his showcase at One Utama Central Park Avenue on Aug 22. That was alright for me but I knew deep down I would not get to see him up close so I tried other alternatives and ooh lala, the Homaniacs website sometimes do offer a lot of information and I found out about the day before Aug 22's activities.

LeeHom was going to go to GSC One Utama for his movie and it is organized by Sony Ericsson.







Searching frantically for 'those' that I think would attend, I asked if they could bring me along and luckily, this nice man, Mr R, brought me along. YES!! I was so excited.




It was quite up close to LeeHom, not as close as I was to Wilber Pan when he was down, that of course, my gratitude to Ms Ho. The only really up close moment I had with LeeHom was when I got in to the Media Q&A session at the Gold Class lounge and I started snapping away crazy. *gRin*




The next up close moment was when he joined us for his movie screening by sitting just directly two rows in from of me. Mr R said something about us being able to see his dandruff then. Well, being a Head&Shoulders shampoo ambassador, I really hope not! LOL

pic credit to KC from Homaniacs

LeeHom however did not join us till the end of his movie as he has other stuff lined up in his busy schedule so he went off after the first 10 minutes of his movie, which I followed suit after. Not because I wanted to but I had to go pick my niece up from the lrt station. I didn't want her to come too late at night -dangerous for a girl to travel alone at night like that.. so .. so I only got to watch for about 15 minutes of the romantic comedy 'Love In Disguise'. I think I shall wait for the DVD to sell at Speedy then...



LeeHom looked skinnier compared to last year his Music Man's tour but all the same, he still looks gorgeous. Men! If only they would all age gracefully like this 34 year old! *sigh*

I came home a happy girl. My fanatiscm satisfied, thanks once again to Mr R this time.



I so agree now with Ms Ho about how his skin is so smooth looking, except for his stubbles, but ... I have no complaints!

First attempt at fool-proof baking

It has been sitting in my kitchen cabinet for quite some time now. Everytime I go grocery shopping, I am tempted to get another one, and then another one but I held back because if I do not make use of the one in the kitchen cabinet, I never will make use of the others.

I have the pans, baking paper all ready, ingredients but I dare not start. Maybe I was scared of failing in a way and that would really bring my confidence really low.

BUT enough is enough. I just can't let the oven not put in use. Afterall its thousands of ringgit spend there because I am the one who insisted a MUST to have it in my kitchen and not putting it to use would mean endless lecture till my end of time.

So today, I got everything ready, all gung ho ready to start. I even went and re-bought the right sized baking paper to fit my mini muffin pan.



I did what the instructions told me to do. What I was not sure about, I smsed the baking guru and asked. I am sure she would have puked blood when she saw all my questions because it shouts out nothing but noob noob noob!

Luckily, the end result was not as bad as I thought it would be. Well, although it is a ready-mix muffin satchet which only requires me to add eggs and vege oil/butter and water to it, I can be quite an idiot to fail a fool-proof recipe.




Hubby commented that it does not have much body as in maybe I mixed a little too much water. So next time, less water but all in all, I am very satisfied with the work I have done. I just can't stop popping these cute mini muffins into my mouth. MMM... now I understand why those women who bakes and then just can't stop eating their end results. I am sure if I bake more often, there goes my diet plans to want to fit perfectly into the dresses I have gotten to attend wedding dinners. *sigh*

A satchet of the chocolate muffin I got was just right for 36 mini muffins. I should get more muffin pans now.




o.Oh Shu-Yin, you would love going to this bakery utility shop near my area. Its full of whatever you want over there just for baking... =)

I will probably be trying out more fool-proof baking before actually venturing into virgin grounds of using baking powder, baking soda and everything that needs to shout ORIGINAL / FROM SCRATCH! Seriously, I don't think I can be anymore noober than this. LOL

Planning ...

Jaden's birthday is around the corner again and this time, I am starting to worry about his cake, venue and guest list.

Hubby and I have an idea on what cake to give to him and now I am sourcing for reputable bakers around that can give me what I want. A perfect modeled cake as requested. The lady that made his 2 year old birthday cake had quoted me quite an expensive quote but should there be no choice, I have to turn to her. I am still looking around for a much more affordable price. This time round, his cake was predicted to cost twice the amount it costs last year. *sigh*

We pamper him too much.

Jaden has been quite naughty lately. His pinching has become such a nuisance that I really hate it. It bruised people and that means hurting people and I don't like what he has become. So, I will just whack him whenever possible at anytime he pinches people. Only when he gets on his father's nerves then only he gets a thorough lecture and whacking but usually its me that does all the dirty job.

Another thing is that Jaden love opening up my and his father's drawers and taking out everything. Jaden taking out things equals to me having to clean up and that is one thing I absolutely loathes. Yes! I admit that I am not cut out for housework, cleaning up and all that. BUT with Jaden and his itchy fingers, it means daily cleaning up, picking up after him. I clear the room, the living room is in a mess. I clean up the living room, the room is in a mess again. *sigh* I guess this is what children is made of. Who says they are all sugar and spice?

My cane has split open. NO! It did not split open on the boy's skin but more to whenever I threaten him and whack the cane on the bed or pillow. The boy has a temper of his own, only his father or I can tolerate. Actually its more to ignoring him when he throws a tantrum to let him know he wont get his way if he throws tantrums like these.

Where did I go wrong?

He is turning 3 next month and I really hope I can bring up a good morale boy.

Rest In Peace

This month itself, I received two bleak news. Death.

Like what dictionary.com phrased it, "The inevitable end of human life is death."

It is inevitable yet we humans are fearsome of it because it meant the end. The end to all things beautiful and more if we could live a minute more it seems.

Joy was the first one to pass on this news to me. She found it out of curiosity and it turned out to be mutual friend we knew back in our college days.

In fact, she was a girl we once looked up to and was so bowl-over that she actually spoke to us and offered us a job where many college girls would have wanted.

I remember her as one of the prettiest girl I'd ever seen and that she was one of the nicest girl. Despite being a senior and someone with looks, she was pretty much humble and easy to talk to. That was how Joy and I remembered her by.

I bumped into her at a wedding dinner 5 years ago and surprisingly she still remembered me. It was kind of flattering in a way because, I, a nobody now and then, and she still remembers me. I think I have a photo taken with her somewhere in the jerk of an ex of mine. The last I saw of her..

and then the news. I remembered everything about her. Her birthday. 070779. She has just turned 31 a month ago and a month later...

I hope you rest in peace, Julia Chuah.

The second news about death is hubby's work colleague's girlfriend. Although I do not the girl, I knew the guy and his very words of "I miss her so much" makes me tear up everytime. I felt his loss, his emptiness, his longing for her to be in his arms again.

Hubby told me that the man broke down when hubby gave him a hug at the wake. I got all emotional again.

It just hit me hard that we should cherish the every living moment we have with everybody around us. To cherish and be grateful for every second of our heartbeat. You never know what the next hour might bring.

It is indeed a month of sadness when news like that hits you, and it hits you hard just because deep inside, we all know that death is indeed inevitable.

May these two girls rest in peace. God Bless their soul.

Love in Disguise Trailer

p/s: ooh have you heard? LeeHom is coming to town!!! and town meaning like 10 minutes away from my house!!!!! and and and by hook or crook, I am going to see him sing again!!!!!!!!!

王力宏「你不知道的事」《戀愛通告》主題曲完整版MV

Zip it!

Sometimes, I wish others would voice their own opinions to themselves rather than out loud and either embarass themselves or irritate others maximum.

Today, I encountered two cases and it sure irritated the shit out of me.

You know how kids tend to behave. They are unpredictable and the way they express themselves could vary. No kid is the same right?

Anyway, in class today, Jaden decided to want to be friendly to some people in class. Him being him, will approach some either to touch their hair, try to give a quick pinch and then smile and then walk away. All he wanted was just attention back and well, today he approach one father who I disliked since the beginning. He was just someone that don't give out good impressions from the very beginning. So, the story is that Jaden went near him and touched his back fo the shirt. I quickly stop Jaden just in case he pinched that fella. Stopped him in time but when that man turned around, he asked if Jaden wanted to pinch him. I replied he might but he didn't. Then the man turned to Jaden and started his 'dad lecture' about how it is very naughty of him to go around pinching people and all. Straightaway I shot him a dirty look and cursed him under my breath right there and then. Who are you to lecture my son when I don't lecture him? Maybe you should meet Jaden's father instead first and tell me if you still want to lecture Jaden? Sometimes they should just zip it and take care of their own children instead. At least Jaden didn't go around disturbing the other kids. That was an adult and he acts like a kid!

Yea, I am that parent who do not like others to teach my son manners, beat him (even if it meant just smacking the hand or butt) or scold him. I am his mother and all that is my job. Not yours. So just stay away and keep those thoughts and hands and mouth to yourself. I am a very defensive mother and I bet his father is ten times worse than me so just leave Jaden alone if you know what is best for you.

Second person to irritate me is this one girl who thinks shes a big shot just because she speaks English. She is a Malaysian Chinses, wearing cap and sunglasses in KFC. So the KFC personnel asked her which set she wants, and her mother has to repeat it after the guy and she took such a long time to answer, indecisive and then suddenly, "Mummyyyy, I already said Set B riteeeeeee?" Fine. Then the KFC personnel asked her if they would want a drink to go with it because its like you have to just pay an additional RM1.80 for the drink and she went, "Got drink meh? Where.. oh there, have to pay one wor, RM1.80 for the drink. Don't want la, so expensive!" The girl's mother then have to say don't want drink don't want drink. Fine! People hear, people understand you don't want drink to go with your set so they proceeded on to pack her food for her when she just have to say it out loud several times to her mother, "Aiya, they don't understand wan la. These people don't understand what we are saying la maaaa."

You can just see everybody else there in line staring cock at her. Blardy fool thinks shes much cleverer than others.

These people just ruin my day in way.

Aaarrrggh. Irritating pieces of shit!

p/s: I apologize for all the rudeness in this post but these things really can drive me up the wall. Not to say my temper is very good itself but at least I know when to zip it!

Cuckoo?

Why do we have to have PMS? *sigh* This body clock can really frustrate me at times when it is not in my favor. Actually, it is never in my favor other than the 'thank God it came this month'. Thats the only part I am grateful for. Other than that, the cramps, the fatigueness, the headaches is uncalled for.

Sometimes I am not sure if this body clock of mine is a cuckoo clock. Sometimes its pretty accurate like maybe dropping hints just 3 or 4 days away. Sometimes its about 2 weeks away and got me all prepped up for nothing and when you least expects it, the aunty shows up and says HELLLOOOO. *grr*

Hubby is pretty busy these few days and he has been out of the house since early morning. Its pretty odd to wake up in this house and hes not around sitting in front of his comp replying emails or working. Times like these can be really peaceful too because then I don't have to hear him comment on me a little here and there when he has a tiny weeny free time off from the comp. Hes the champion lah in multitasking *LOL* Anyway, he has been out of the house for more than 12 hours yesterday and I got to use the comp to my heart's content, sweep, vacuum and mopped the floor, cleaned the rabbits toilet and trays. Today is all about wiping clean all the surfaces that has collected dust, no thanks to the house facing the main road and constructions going nearby.

There is so much that I have planned to want to do today but lets see if my procrastination will once again win over. Hmm.. so with that I shall leave now and carry on with housework while letting my drama complete its file download.

Dum be dee dum dum...

Sayonara Oh Hana!

Most of my friends would know that I am quite a drama addict and best-nya, I am a Korean drama addict despite not knowing a single word. OK, maybe just a word or two like I love you and Thank you and What? but well, these awesome Korean dramas just keep coming my way so there is no way I can stop myself from following one to another right? Afterall its an ongoing thing on KBS World compared to the Chinese TVB dramas you have to buy to watch.





SO anyway, I have been following these three dramas. One just ended for me which really made me sad. I know, its just a show but the ending was not what I expected and the guy I rooted for in the show should have a better ending. Its just so unfair the script writers wrote his 'life story' that way. BAH!





The drama is called Secret Agent Oh Hana. In some other countries, its known as Call of the Country. The actor I have been rooting for is Ryu Jin. I did not expect him to be that old until I googled him out and the leading actress was younger than I expected. *shakes head in confusion*





Anyway, it has just been a short 16 episodes of a love, comedy drama for me. Feeling a little bittersweet now that it has ended. Hopefully the other two will just be as just as good as this funny one for me.





So have you guessed already which main lead actor I rooted for? =)




p/s: wanna watch but no KBS World? Well, you can watch it here with Eng Subs.. =)

and then I guess I shall proceed on to Oh! My Lady, Loving you a Thousand Times and Ballad of Suh Dong.. ooh I can't wait! * GRIN*

Alone today

Jaden's class will no longer be operating on Sunday. So, there are no options other than Saturday at 11am (earlier compared to Sunday's) because his teacher Farah teaches only on Saturdays. Even his friends has either moved to Saturday too or joined other programmes by the school. *sigh*

Missing those two little girls with their mothers now. I guessed its more me missing them than Jaden but they make good classmates with Jaden. Though there is this one boy, Zi Chen who loves following Jaden around but Jaden looks like a giant when compared to this boy just because he is exactly one year younger than Jaden. Its a different story when it comes to both the girls instead because they are of the same age and about the same height so it doesn't really make Jaden stand out like some giant. =)

After a month of deferring, I am guessing that Jaden forgot some of the class routines and started to throw tantrum when not given the toy he wants. Being me, I just ignored him and walked off to one side and let him finish throwing his fit. Its funny how he throws tantrum when an adult don't give him what he wants or take away what he is playing but when another kid comes and snatches the toy or stuff he is holding, he will just patiently wait and take it back or follow the kid around and take it away but without force. Funny eh? Even the teacher commented that, "Eh, he tak marah yah when the kids take his stuff away?"

The boy is now tired out after his class and is snoring away with his father in slumberland. The father is snoring away at this hour, thanks to MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2010 last night. The father got to go attend and watch the hot Katy Perry and Wondergirls shake their booties. Time for daddy to let loose and shake his ass to some music since I was the one having all the fun for the past one month.. but soon, it will be my turn again when my girlfriends' wedding are due. o.Oh Sept, how I look forward to you.

Speaking of September, it would mean Jaden will be turning 3 and this year, I am not sure how I want to have his birthday celebrated. Since we have our own pad now, maybe a small little do at our house instead and invite his own friends and godparents. I have given the cake some thought and this year, probably a hot wheel car shaped cake. Time to source for the cake lady before Raya comes and she is swamped with reservations.

Tonight is Howard's birthday party. He turns 2 and I am suspecting my sister is pregnant again. Damn. So many pregnant people around me. I am jealous yet I am not. Crazy huh? but I am jealous because they get to look radiant and beautiful and feel the tiny punches and kicks from the little one inside them but I am not jealous of them when it comes to taking care of a newborn and trying to cope with sleepless nights.. LOL I prefer just to play with a baby than to take care of one since I know what its like to be taking care of one.

I have been procrastinating quite a while now about cleaning up the house, which I think will be postponed too today. Maybe tomorrow. Fine, definitely tomorrow, no more reasons for me to slack this way. *sigh*