365: day nine

Am loving the noise of this picture. I thought it was a waste after taking the picture and it was too dark but after adjusting it in Lightroom. I kind of like the noise and decided to post it as my 365 photo.

365: day eight

Finally, I got my new lens!! I am loving my 50mm f1.4/D. This is one of my first few pictures taken with the lens. Very happy to have the lens....am still exploring and playing with it. I hope I can upload more pictures in the next post. Love, love, love it.......very much!! Thank you DH for getting me the lens in return I gave him his iPad for his birthday.

365: day seven

day seven, did not seem to capture much on today but I find this is meaningful while having my cuppa in Starbuck. I hope everyone will think and do the same thing as well 'Shared Planet'!!

365: day six

Lucas 4th day in play school and this is his 'Humpty Dumpty' project. Well, very obvious this is mummy's work or art and Lucas do the final touch which giving the paper a little texture on the paper (lol). I hope one day he will be asking me for help to do all his handy craft work. I would love to see him to do his own crafty work very soon.

365: day five

My fifth day of project 365, I decided to post this picture of my Lucas. He is so lazy to hold his own biscuits. He is getting naughtier and cheeky!

365: day four

An iPad card? Yeap, trying to make a Birthday Card for DH on 8th October. I am still mingling on the layout and trying to put in more embellishments.

365: day three

Food preparation for grandma 81st birthday on 3rd Oct 2010. Love the vibrant color of the vegetables.

While blogging, I found some other Project 365 that I think their ideas are pretty interesting and clever. I would like to share with my fellow readers this random blog I found, Lilac Saloon and Jenn Maddocks Design. "Lovely photos & work"

365: day two

Can you guess how old is Snowy? He may look pretty young in the picture but he is turning 15 years old this 30th November 2010. I am surprised that he is still by my side. He do not look old to me coz his barking and hearing are still very alert.

Lately Snowy has funny attitude towards Lucas. I speculate that he is jealous over Lucas. Poor, poor little doggy.

365: day one

I finally get myself up to start on this project. I am thrilled to have companies that willing to do this project with me. Am I right James and Marcia! It's a challenge in life and I think it will be FuN too. My first photo will be my 'cheeky' son that just turn 9 month and 5 days old.

"Forever his mouth will be filled with object & soft toys" - can never stop him for not doing it

Project: 365 days

After reading Project 365: How to take a picture a day and See your life in a new way, written by Photojojo give me an urged to do it. Indeed it sound really interesting and it really does give myself a meaning of life. I think I should go for it becoz I feel I have wasted too much of my precious TIME and I feel 365 days passes real fast each year. When I look back, I cannot see what I have accomplished and it feel like I have not been doing anything. Feel sad about it and feeling a little down.

Should I challenge myself for doing it?

Sound like a fun project and it is like a motivator. I guess I need something to motivate me and keep my engine running.

What do you think my fellow blogger. Shall I go for it!

I shall update on the next post of when is the appropriate date to start it! Good night.

sunset

1st day of Sunset at Nexus Karambunai, Sabah - 20 May 2010 @ 6:20pm

Sunset @ 6:41pm

2nd day of Sunset - 22 May 2010 @ 6:04pm

sunset @ 6:18pm

sunset @ 6:27pm

Last day of Sunset - 23 May 2010 @ 6:31pm

The cloud is truly amazing. Everyday it have different set of backdrop. Love the color and the ambience!

he finally learn something new...

Lucas finally has learnt to roll over!! I am surprise to discover one morning when he is crying for help that he needed help to roll back (lol). I was startled and to my surprise he is a fast learner. Every minute when he lie on the bed now, he will roll over very fast. Now I am having a hard time to change his diaper...

my lucas @ 4 months 14 days old

Sunday...inspiration

Having my free time or a break, I love reading others blog. Recently, I have some inspiration after reading Ali Edward's blog. I love her weekinthelife and her project of journaling. I think I would love to start a project on journaling... and I may want to start on my Japan trip which I have jot down bit and pieces during the trip. I have yet compiling it and doing it nicely like how Ali's kept most of her works and beautifully taken photos. I am quite pround and envy her on how she innovate it and bind it herself.
The trip to Japan had opened my eye and each day I'm there, I am deeply in love with the place and people there. For those who haven't step into Japan before, I swear that you will definately love it and enjoy it.
I think this is it! It will be my current project which help lifting up my inspiration and my crafting spirit for the moment. I need some drive to cheer me UP and get myself motivated.
Sharing with you is one of my handmade postcard. Hope you like it...

Above postcard paperie are made from washi paper from Kyoto, Japan.

It's labour DAY...

Had a break this morning without Lucas, although I have my usual sinus. Nothing can spoil my mood. Loving my cup of cafe latte and a healthy chicken egg sandwich.


Today another cook day for me. I would like to share my California maki with everyone. Very simple making food and yet fun to make with your children or family member.

California Maki


4 pcs nori (roasted seaweed)
1 kyuri a.k.a. japanese cucumber, cut into approx. 10cm/ 4" long
10 pcs crab stick
50g tobiko a.k.a. flying fish roe
3 tbsp japanese mayo
2 cups of short grain rice
1 sushi mat

Seasoning for rice,

5 tbsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

Serve: 4 persons

Preparations,

Rice need to soak with water for at least 2 hr before cooking it (if you have the time - it's Optional)
Once rice cooked, stir in above ingredient till even (much easier if you use a wooden chopsticks) - let the rice cool down in room temperature before we can start wrapping...
I will insert pictures for my california maki, I hope the picture tutorial can be able to help you in better understanding...



Enjoy!!

kyuri & crab stick - cut into 10cm/ 4" long

all the ingredients shown above

first - *tips - soak hand into vinaigrette water to avoid rice stick on to fingers 

second, compress rice nicely

third, lay in mayo, tobiko, crab stick & kyuri (as shown above)

fourth, slowly & gently roll with the help of the sushi mat (roll & pull is the trick)

lastly, ta-dah....you get a nice round maki (you can try to do square with the help of using the mat)

don't worry if your end of the maki is not nice and not filled up with rice

To cut the maki evenly, here is the tips. Cut it into half and lay them side by side.

And cut into half again...you should have 4 portions, lastly cut into half again

Finally, you should be able to get 8 pieces of california maki with 1 sheet of nori.

I hope you will enjoy making it. Usually when I make this for my families, this is always the first dish that pass around and when it come back. It is all Gone! Once you have master the rolling of the maki, you can always try replacing the ingredient with another vegetable of your choice or put in additional stuff like avocado.

After all the cooking and catching up with families tonight...I need to take a good rest...

TGIF...

Friday has been a productive day.

It's been good stuff...just online purchase a new Mac Book Pro. Just as much as I like using a PC, I guess is time for me to upgrade myself. I am in love with my iPhone, I think I will even more love my Mac too!!

This morning meeting carry on smoothly. Crossing my finger very much to preach for this current job I have in hand. Monday will be another productive days with more meetings and discussions.

What's for tonight? As usual, my DH always gets home late on a Friday night! I am on my diet plan now. Feel like eating something light yet yummy! Before I am off to have my dinner, I would like to share some of this pictures that I have taken during my Japan trip. Furano & Biei, Hokkaido was one of my favorite place. Missing it every moment...Enjoy the photos!


Have a good weekend...

I love the beauty and the serenity of this place. Is so peaceful and calm....love, love, love it!!

Seeing him grow...

Lucas @ 3 months

- smiling a ton, especially when you start talking to him

- sometimes cooing and giggling a lot when feeling good
- liking very much to be held rather than in any other spot

- loves seeking for attention
- towards the end of 3 months, he start turning half way back (but not yet a full roll)
- getting used of travelling in a car, every weekdays to granny house
- loves taking a bath but unfortunately still yet to try in a big pool =(
- loves surrounded with many people

- had started interacting with people

How can I be more discipline?

I think I am always a thinker but sometime, I may be a dreamer.
I love to dream about that in one day I can be able to achieve many of my things.
I love reading other blogs especially those really good in expressing themselves through everyday of their life.
I always ask myself, how can she do it and why can't I?
The question is still floating in my mind...I don't think I can have an answer to it until I really try achieving it.
I think with some motivation + determination, I should be able to do it.

After reading the above and you do not understand what am I trying to express. I don't blame you because sometime I do not understand myself as well. Sometime I am giving myself too much of an expectation and just too much excuses.

I am trying to change myself to be a better person, helpful mother, lovely wife and a respectful daughter.

I hope one day I can be able to ACCOMPLISH it! Life is just too little time to waste...

Have a good weekend...

My Favorite Tamago Sushi

I would love to share one of my favorite making dishes. I am a jap food lover...I love to experience different type of Japanese style of cooking. Most of the time I love to make 'dashi-maki-tamago' because I always thought it is quite a challenging dish to make.

This recipe has been slightly alter to my style of liking. I have tried various tamago sushi recipe online or in books. I find those are a little too sweet for me.

I hope you may like it and enjoy making it. Enjoy!!

Dashi-Maki-Tamago

6 whole eggs (medium in size)
6-8 tbsp dashi stock
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp mirin
2 tsp sugar (if you prefer slightly sweeter, can try 3 tsp)
pinch of salts

2 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)

Preparations:
1. Beat eggs in a bowl (make sure all eggs are beat well till smooth)
2. Add all mixtures and stir well
3. Heat a fry pan in medium heat *Preferably in a square or rectangular pan
4. Brush some oil into the heated pan
5. Pour a scoop of eggs mixture into the pan (make sure the mixture cover the whole surface in a thin layer)
6. Cook the egg until half done and slowly roll the egg to one side of the pan (I usually prefer to do it with a pair of wooden chopstick)
7. With the rolled egg still inside the pan, pour in a another scoop of mixture into the pan. Lift the rolled egg slightly, making sure the mixture flow in the underside of it.
8. Repeat step 6&7, the egg-roll should be thicker after 4th scoop of mixture. The tamago should be roll in the form of rectangular or in round.
9. Leave the last layer of tamago in the pan for a while and slightly brown it on the four side.
10. Before serving it, you can cut tamago into 1" thk or you can use it to make nigiri sushi!

Hope you will enjoy cooking it!

Things I am learning + coping (being a mother)

1. I am so happy and grateful that Lucas has come into my LIFE!

2. The birth was so smooth that I almost had forgotten what is the feeling like. Thank god, my labour only lasted me for 3 hour. 

3. Lucas first smile melt my heart because finally I can see him smiling at me instead of giving me a frowning face every morning when I wake up.

4. Breastfeeding wasn't an easy task. I'm having a tough time at the beginning. After all the reading from internet and some advices from some friend, I finally find myself enjoying it now. I am still breastfeeding and hope to breastfeed him for another couple of months. 

5. A good way to distress myself is by staring at Lucas. Looking at him sleeping, I find peace and serenity. He is an ANGEL to me!

6. I loving my iPhone everyday. I have a compilation of Lucas from day 01 till now photos that keep me occupied whenever I need to see him when he is not with me.

7. I am working hard to set a time for my myself and him - sometime I feel Lucas has taken all my time till I don't have time to do my own personal stuff especially my crafting moment.

8. My first outing with Lucas is not as bad as I expected. He is really an angel because he loves being around with people. He love to explore around and extremely like staring at bright stuff.

9. Communicating with baby is not an easy task. I must tune in to his channel and he loves people to talk to him. It is fun to talk and play with him. Soon, I will be able to master my baby language.

10. My timing is always not the same. Everyday I am trying very hard to get him ready on time. I can say it never be the same when we are just two of us.

11. Yesterday was Lucas first sick day. Cranky & moody. Lucas was not interested in anything at all and finally after some medication he fall asleep till the next morning. 

12. Remember each day that tomorrow is a another day; I need to treasure these every moments.

I'm BACK to my life!

Didn't realize that I have not been blogging almost about a year. For this period of time, things come and go and suddenly my life has changed. I have so much to share and do not know where to begin from.

The happiest thing to share with my fellow friends, that I am finally a mother now!! Having a special plus one into the family changes my whole life and bringing joy to my family.

Having an addition to the family = no time for this modern mummy!!

Thank you for sharing the happy moment with me. Hope you will follow along my blog to see the progress and how I cope my daily routine with my little Lucas.