Xmas in the Aussie Way

Spent a great afternoon with potluck lunch. Had a nice fellowship with the Christmas choir & family. DH had the most fun, played Cricket in the frontyard and more fun with the 'old' boys playing shooting... He got so into the toy guns that he almost wanted head straight to Big W and grab one home. +_+

Potato Cooked 3-Ways

Carisma Potato 2kg for $4 x 2 from Coles

1. Stir fry with curry powder > Curry Puff
2. Baked > Stew potato with minced chicken
3. Boiled > Potato salad

I JUST WOKE UP TO A SINGAPORE I NO LONGER LOVE

Adopted from: therealsingapore.com/content/i-just-woke-singapore-i-no-longer-love
Post date: 17 Dec 2013 - 7:21am

I Just Woke Up...

Born in the mid 70's, I grew up with fond memories of seating in the back seat of my dad's car, going to not so crowded beaches and neighborhood parties. Now all grown up, I have 2 kids on my own and have been struggling to create moments for my family that my parents once did. The places I once knew are all concrete and the basic enjoyments in life are diminishing. Once my existing car expires, I don't think I can buy another. My kids are in primary school and I doubt they will be able to buy cars or a proper living space, 15 years from now. I'm not looking at a high end car but a normal family saloon that we can all enjoy in.

What has happened to Singapore, a country I once loved. I didn't choose to be born here but now it seems I may not have a choice but to leave here if I still want to enjoy simple pleasures in life. I'm not shy to admit it that I love cars,not for their monetary worth or status, but for the magical moments created when a family seats together, sings songs and cracks jokes. It is a moving living room.

I can't bear to think what the future of my kids are going to be. My son will be asked to go to the army, get peanuts for 2 years in a country where money is the only thing that matters. I dare the people ruling this country to say otherwise. This country is run like a PTE LTD or a large CBD by CEOs. Country or rural sides are gone and people have been taught that this is the best. A typical week for a non married sporean is to work everyday, go window shopping and buy nothing, gossip and drink coffee and then club and sleep in. Of cos, eat in-between all of these "exciting" activities. A married couple without kids do the same as singles. But those with kids, stress themselves and the kids on what school to place their kids and tuition teacher to get.

Soon Singaporeans will see many simple things in life in history books or in TV shows. The people with cars will be the Elite while the rest will be commoners. The separation already exists but the division will be clear 15 years from now.

It is true that we all are migrants but the people who came here, came here to build a nation and created a unique singapore identity "la". That was the time the world was evolving and countries were finding its identities. Now we have started all over again. And the identity we once knew is transforming into something else. We have foreign groups amongst us who are stubbornly saying that they are a society. I don't see them changing to our multiracial ways. When a Singaporean speaks, we know, we understand and we relate.

Living in Singapore is being delusional in terms of finance. We spend our whole lives paying for a small house and then when we retire, if we do, we don't have enough money to begin our retirement years. To make things worst, our hard earned money is kept and given to us according to what the country CEO decides.

One things for sure, I have been brainwashed all these while to think that our way is the best. Safe country with many opportunities. Well, safety flew out the windows recently when we became headlines globally with police cars being neatly arranged on its sides.

Today I wake up, not for myself but for my kids. I want them to enjoy life as I did. Sit in a car with their kids one day and drive around. I pray that I too can afford a car once the term expires. The word is own a car, not lease it for 10 years for an exorbitant price! I want to own a home without a 30yr loan. We don't have a choice when every corner in Singapore has been evaluated high. Look CEO, give us a place to go and buy cheap homes like our dads! We need it. We can't be buying houses for the resale values.

With Social media and cheap air travel, everyone is going to compare what we don't have. Don't let the CEO convince you that we have what we need. Not everything is what we need. We have wants too.

These will be the questions in schools for students 15 years from now:
What has happened to this country?
Was there a need to expand so fast?
Who said we must be a rich nation?
How did most Singaporean become white collar workers while the rest were looked down upon?
Why did we give up our country to foreigners so easily with such large influx?
What is our Singaporean identity?
What is it like driving a car with your parents and kids?
What is financial freedom?
Why didn't my parents stop this during their time?
Why did they leave behind a legacy of concrete and rules?
How do I retire?
What is creativity?
What's it like to go fishing or playing in the rain?
What is a rural area?
What is like living freely?

I hope all of you will start thinking about what really matters in this one and only life you have.

A Singaporean who just woke up

Sleepy Singaporean TRS Contributor

RtB

Our second time to Road to Bethlehem at Nunawadig Christian College. This is a yearly community service by our chuch (SDA) around Christmas season, where we journeyed through Jesus' birth. A reminder of the Great Salvation, even though it wasn't His actual birhday.

Great effort from the production team! God bless your team.

Takoyaki (^｡^)

It all started with my dear church friend posting her DIY Takoyaki on FB and sparked the cravings. After lots and lotsa research to get the beat deal of a Takoyaki pan this dear church friend advised not to and kindly lent me hers. She said these are not something we will eat frequently so no point having another piece sitting in the already limited kitchen cabinet. She also gave me the recipe that makes 26 pieces, and I reduced it to 10 pieces. Just nice for me and DH to snack before dinner.

First attempt and result were satisfactory. Ha... borrowed for weeks and only used once! Time to return the pan.

DH's After Work Snack

Quick & easy Korean Rice Cake. Spicy~ but yummy!

Yours Truthly's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to me  *:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)'･*:.｡. .｡.:*

DH took a day off and we spent the day in the city. Had our first even proper western meal in OZ. It was good. Nice and beautiful weather to sit outside. A peaceful afternoon, just the way I like it. The reason why I moved down here. Cannot be more thankful for that!

Aww... It was a birthday celebration the way I enjoy. Thanks DH!

Uniqlo is Coming to Melbourne

Woke up 6am to attend a 9am Info Session cum interview for the Salas Asst. role with Uniqlo's first store in Australia. There was also a short 15mins group discussion and presentation, where all the managers stood around to closely observe all candidates. Basically, they observed you throughout the session. They were really serious in their selection process. You can see in their eyes that they were evaluating you every moment. Kinda scary when your eyes accidentally met theirs. Most candidates were eager to speak and alot, making sure they shine among the 30 over number of candidates... so competitive! I said my part. Went through the 15-30mins interview, hopefully they are happy with my answers. We'll wait for 21-Nov for the verdict.

I need some rest, my head... Need OS update.

Treats or Tricks!

(_ _).｡o○

One for DH

Now, why do you have to wear glasses to sleep?!

New Stuff on FB

This bitstrip is something hot on FB now. Had a little fun creating my own avatar. (^-^)

CNY is round the corner...

Yes, another 100 sleeps and it is Chinese New Year. This will be our second year of quiet CNY... (´･_･`)

Time to Practise My Green Fingers

Staying in a rented place does not gave me the space to have my own vege patch. As far as I know, vegetables does not grow as well in pot as on the ground. But, with some much time on hand, I have to do find some thing to do. So, this is my second Spring and time to start growing again, though my first chillies are still alive or half-alive, there is nothing to harvest... This time, I continue with chillies and added some spring onion, since DH loves them. Will add some asian veg to the pot... once I got the seeds.

Why do I feel like my seedling patch looks like.... graveyards?!

Kari Po, anyone?

Missed those Malay Kari Po, 3 for RM1... Have been wanting to DIY curry puff, but was not really motivated to make my own curry puff skin. One fine day, I pop-by Coles frozen aisle, and saw ready-made puff pastry skin! After which, I continued to procrastinate. Finally, I 'feel the power' today. Bought the puff pastry skin, grabbed a bag of Carisma potatoes... And voila, nice & crispy kari puff, need more work on the presentation tho! Yum yum!

National Rhododendron Garden

Don't we all just love to be surrounded by beautiful things?! Beautiful weather, beautiful flowers.

Six Pack in the Making

First, I wanted a Cross Trainer. Not willing to pay the full-price, I thought about hiring at $200 for 3 months. Then, I saw this TV ad, selling 5 mins Shaper aka Power Plank. Called up the 1800- to find out the price... almost $300! When a year ago dealdirect.com sold the first gen, known as Power Plank at $49.90! Argh~ After LOTSA consideration, I finally bought this ab roller, $9.99 on ebay. Bought yesterday, and postman came early this morning, knocking on the door. The ebay seller works like a flash?! All excited to try, I did maybe 5? 8 rolls? Ohh~ my arms... hurts. Anyway, I am officially out of Wax Museum.

I WANT to make my stretching routine at 4.30pm, Monday-Friday!

Lo Bak Gou: TAKE 2

Mmmm....! Nice and soft. This round I go more generous wth water and less salt. Used only rice flour. All the calculation on flour portion is redundant, simply have to 'feel' the batter when you stir in the rice flour. Oiishi~ waiting for DH to come home from work to taste test!

Birthday Boys

My two nephews just celebrated their 3rd & 1st birthday. Since I have no kids, I love them like my own. Well, I will still love them if one day I have my own. Many times, I wish I am there with my niece and nephews... It's nice and fun to be surrounded by them, watch them grow, do and say funny stuff.

1-Day Retreat on Phillip Island

Only 1-hr drive for this awesome view! Definitely felt refreshed, other than the gusty wind that almost blew me off.

First Attempt: Chinese Turnip Cake

End Result: Looks decent. Texture is a little hard & tasted abit saltish... still eat-able, otherwise will have to bin it.

3 Prime Ministers within 1 year

Last weekend was the first Australia election for me, not that I am voting, but the winning party is going to affect my life somehow now. Coalition party led by Tony Abbott has won the race (still trying to let this sink-in), he is my third Prime Minister since I arrived in Australia within a short period of one year. This is OZ politics... Welcome to Australia! Let's see what Tony has up on his sleeves.

Image Source:
Gillard: www.smh.com.au
Rudd: Gary Ramage Source: The Daily Telegraph
Abbott: alexwhite.org 

GREAT DEAL from MAS

I

t was such a great deal and I wanted to share but not sure with who... that's so sad! Anyhow, two days ago, me and hubby was casually talking about having a holiday to Tokyo sometime next year, if there is any flight promotion. So, I picked up our mini Ipad and started surfing zuji. I couldn't believe my eyes, I passed the ipad to hubby to make sure that my eyes were not playing thricks on me, and voila! After comparing and confirming the schedule, the price, we made the deal with MAS! We are visiting Tokyo for 8 days, in Spring next year, and visiting our family at the same time. AWESOME~~~

The deal is PEN>NRT>SIN for only SGD713 return for TWO! Yes! For TWO! woohoo~ How cool is that?! Thank you Jesus for the holiday! I am so excited! KonichiWA~~~

Let It Snow~~

My first snowy experience! A day trip to Mt. Baw Baw before Spring arrive.

Dinner @ Boxhill

Ended Sabbath with a Korean BBQ dinner and HK dessert, plus good company! Home steamboat is next. (^o^)

Shaken~

Yesterday I did my morning prayer as per normal. I told God, if it is His plan that we should go back, He will speak to us audibly. And late morning, a message came from DH, saying that his business unit has been sold. The whole team will be moving to the new company in CBD, effective mid of next week. It was sudden. I started to feel unsettle. Did not we moved here to run away from the long travel hours to & fro work... And job security is also at risk, toward the end of this year DH will know if he will still be employ. As if this is not enough, our rental agent emailed to say our tenant would like to have early termination of her lease. We are losing our sources of income. So, is God showing us signs? Suddenly I felt a lost of direction. Uncertainty is making me unsettle.... There seems to be an increasing push factors here.

Lord, if this is your plan for us, I ask that You will provide a smooth transition.

Women's Ministry Conference

Spent 1 night at Silverwater Hotel at Philip Island to attend the conference, with speaker Brenda Walsh. Had good fellowship and good food!

Learnt:
- To serve God,
1. Be Willing
2. Be Obedient
3. Be Joyful
- 'Divine Appointment'

在澳洲生活已经 365 天

Exactly today, we celebrate our first year annivesary down under. Seriously, time flies！(◎_◎;)

First Movie Down Under

Went for our first movie since we arrived. Thanks for the complimentary tickets from DH's boss!

Home-made Mee Siam Paste

Yay~ Open ceremony for my new kitchen helper- Philip Handheld blender. I proudly present to you my home-made mee siam paste.

Ingredient:
1 Red Capsicum
1 Red Onion
Some Red Chillies (fresh & dried)
Some Anchiovies
Some Garlic
Some Soybean Paste

Put all into blender! (＾ｰ^)ノ

It's Bring Your Dog to Work Day

This is my first time coming so close to a giant schnauzer! Huge~ but it is a gentle giant.

Dine-Out Friday It Is!

And we had our favourite Curry YTF @ Grand Tofu! Slooup~ yum...! Comfort food!

PS: YTF stands for yong tau fu.

Hazy Singapore brought good business opportunities

Air-purifiers on gmarket Singapore is having a good business.