The Notebook

I watched this movie on Channel 5 today. It was a good movie..the kind you would like as it has a good ending. Not like the previous movie/novel by the same author who wrote "A Walk to Remember". Somehow the story line of The Notebook reminds me of my past love..someone I used to loved and had to let him go in the end. Sid and I were going on for 2 years. My cousins saw him regularly and always thought I was going to marry him some day. Much to their dismay, I dumped Sid in the end.

Sid was a good man. He remained truthful to me till the end of our relationship. But he couldn't settle down. At 27 years old back then, Sid was still finding his path, in choosing the right career he wanted. At times, he would just 'runaway' to unwind and I couldn't find him. Then suddenly he would ring me from a faraway land and said he is there on a mission trip. I cannot live with someone like this. All I wanted from him was security and assurance that he will be here for me when I needed him the most. Most of the times, he would leave me standing alone. I am tired of waiting for him to settle down. So after 2 years, I finally let him go.

And it was the best decision I have made in my entire life. It was through this, I met Benny. Through a blind date my best friend, Susie has set me up with! I was hopelessly devoted to being single all my life after Sid. I told myself I won't get involved romantically with anyone again. But Susie thought otherwise. Susie and I have been friends since our secondary school days. We were also neigbhours. She saw how the breakup tore me inside out. Made me a miserable person.

Benny was my dream come true. Someone I wanted for a long long time. God found him for me. After such a long wait. And I believe that God wanted to teach me to treasure Benny. Knowing Sid and loving Sid was a lesson in love God had planned for me. That I will learn to treasure my life ahead with Benny.

Some years ago during an office party, we had too much to drink and my dear eccentric friend Robert Z ask if we have to live our lives all over again, who would we choose to love and to marry again. I said " I would choose my life again, being me for all I am now..and to find Benny sooner and marry him sooner too!" Without a doubt.

I found this on youtube..on The Notebook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0uRa6YSeJo
I loved this now..going to get the DVD and watch it again!

I'm a big girl now!

Remembering the day Jing Jing came into our homes, into our lives..this little pup was just skin and bones. She was deprived of love and attention at her tender puppy age. No one love her or pay attention to her needs. Although she was not abandoned in the streets, she was rehomed in 5 places in 3 months. Poor little puppy.

see her here squeezing her way between the cage and the wall..that's only 4 inches in width!




and now, look at her..she's past 1 year last September. A sweet young thing, she is now.





She's happy with us. She is loved by all at home. And she has a big basket of stuffed toys and her chew toys too. Our neighbours like her too. She would greet everyone with vigorous wagging of her tail.

She hardly barks although once in awhile, she tries to pretend she is a big Dobermann guarding the house..she will give a loud, short Woof. But when anyone comes near, she bolts off in the other direction and hides behind our backs!



In so many ways, she reminds me of Beauty. And also in other days, she also shows me she's herself, not Beauty too. She's very sweet and loves to cuddle and would run up to you when you smiled at her.

This coming Chinese New Year will be her first CNY with us. It will be like the old days when Beauty used to be around. Kids come to play with the house dog and this house dog loves to play...

A good Start to 2008

Its already February the 4th today. I haven't been blogging since the start of the new year. I have never been so busy as a SAHM or Stay At Home Mom. Since I quit my MIS Managerial post with Batey Singapore in 2003, I have never been so tied up, tied down in trying to do so many things all at the same time!

But its a sign of good things to come, I guess. Better to be busy with stuff to do, things to plan then sit around and wait for cows to come home.

I have great plans for the future for Kitchen Capers and everything now seems to fit into place. I have made new friends, discard some old friends..but all is well.

Everyone at home seems happier. My mom is grumbling less. Benny seems to be more cheerful lately. Even Jing Jing our sheltie seems more joyous.

So yesterday I took some time to try out my mom's pineapple tarts recipe on some new tart moulds I got. Benny bought a box to the office today and he rang me to say they all loved it. I may need to bake more tonight as he wants to bring more to the office tomorrow..here's what I did today

First of first

Like they say, "there is always the first time in everything". This Christmas was the first time for me not to do any roasts for the family party. Actually, we didn't do any last year too. Because my mom was recuperating at home after her surgery. This year, the tables were turned..I was recuperating from surgery. And my uncle Andrew didn't host it at his place this year. Uncle Daniel is hosting it at his place.

So I ended up doing what my relatives loved..CAKES. This year I decided to decorate it with the Christmassy theme. This is what I made yesterday. The cake was baked earlier in the morning and decorations done much later when the cake has cooled.

Although I know that my mom would rather be expecting a Roast Honey Plum Pork Loin or a Roast Beef or a Roast Leg of Lamb..




Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Jolly, Healthy New Year!

Dashing thru the snow...

There is no SNOW in Singapore. We are in the tropics. But I thought this title sounds kind of nice for my post today. As I closed this year in a dash. Literally! I have been extremely busy, clearing a back log of baking classes I had promised to do for my students. If not of my mountain climbing last month, I would have time to bake for charity which was on my top list of things to do this Christmas. Looks like I have to do that next year with Chinese New Year instead.

Its been an eventful year for me, 2007. Seeing myself in a company with friends and leaving it in 6 months later. And back to square 1 where I started off with my home grown website and forum, Kitchen Capers. In these 6 months, I learnt much about working with others, with friends and with myself. How much to expect or not expect, the boundaries one need to know one can do and cannot do.

But at the end of this journey, I am thankful that God gave me new strength and courage to move on. And I have decided to revamp Kitchen Capers and to make it a company instead of just a hobby and past time forum. Benny has given me his support. Each day he gives me assurance and encourages me to carry on my dream.

I like this quote from John Scully, the ex CEO of Apple Computers, Inc. He said :

THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD

Yes, this year..the journey I have made is my REWARD. Skills I learn that are invaluable and that no money can buy and no one will show you or teach you how. A journey I have to take on my own and the courage of reaching there.

Above all, I am truly thankful of friends who stood by me in my time of need, my loving hubby, Benny who saw me going thru the ups and downs this year and ever so supporting. And my family who supported me in spirit and in kind.

Its been a Dashing year for me..literally dashing through the snow!!

Climb every mountain

I thought I have done with mountain climbing. To me, mountain climbing is not only a sport but something very difficult. No, no, I am not into mountain climbing. Never climb one in my life. Maybe one day I will. The so-called mountain climbing I am talking about is surviving a medical illness or surgery.

Early this month, on the 1st November 2007, I was admitted to Changi Hospital at 2am on 1st November due to severe stomach pains. I had a very high fever the night before. There were no symptoms of any ill-health. So I thought it was just fever for a cold. The next thing, I am in the hospital. The doctors had to run several tests on me to find out the cause of the pain. It was so painful that I was perspiring in cold sweat. Leaving me so weak that I couldn't even stand up properly. I felt like fainting.

After a series of blood tests, urine tests and a final CT Scan, they say "Oh Mdm Choong, I think you got acute appendicities". It was only until 8pm on 1st Nov that I was wheeled in for the surgery. Imagine going on without any painkillers from 2am, 1 November till 8pm same day!


by then, this was how I felt like...



I quickly sent a sms to my friend, Sheryl and ask her to inform the folks at my forum. Soon, I started to get more sms from well meaning friends, biz associates who wrote to say " Gina, don't worry, we will pray for you. "



It was during the surgery, the doctors found that my appendix has ALREADY RUPTURED! And pus flows out and started to infect the surrounding area.



After the surgery, I was still experiencing the pains. And the pain wasn't on the appendix but the packets upon packets of drips I had. Then the food I have taken before going to the hospital was stuck in the intestines and unable to pass out. So they inserted a long tube thru my nose, pass my throat and straight into my gut and stomach to extract some 2 litres of smelly poo, secretions.

The pain was unbearable, there were moments I felt like dying..
But when I thought about how my mom at her ripe old age of 70 plus could survive hers, I think I can do better.

So I pushed on..the nurses could not give me anything orally or I will throw up. The only way in, was through the drip and both hands are 3 drips on each side. I look like a Frankenstein's monster strapped to the table for experiments!

My sms were sharp, short..half the time I had to type using one finger..the rest will be swollen.

I come home, now, safe and sound. Showing evidence of the pain I have been thru, the amount of tiny holes on both my hands, arms, blue-black marks from blood tests etc.

Well, another mountain climbed. Another great testimony for God's glory of how He has watched over me in my time of pain and need.