You are free fish!

Two weeks ago, we went to Penang. While there, we usually visit my cousin living nearby our place. Rap enjoys playing with his older brother. That Sunday morning, rap and I were at my cousin's place and suddenly rap's dad suggested we head to see some fish in the aquarium shop. The boys were excited to head out.

They were talking about buying fish from the shop and releasing them near the house. Rap's bro used to release fish in a big drain near his house. So we all go to the shop an enjoyed watching the fish in aquariums. We even bought an aquarium and water pump to set up our own back at home. We already have those colorful pebbles, plastic fish that can float and move like it's swimming and decorative seaweeds. 

After enjoying about 45 minutes in the shop, we finally made our purchase and bought two packets of fish to be released. We need to find a good place to let them go so they could survive. The purpose to release them is to free them. We don't intend to kill them. 

As we were driving, we passed two rivers. It's not like those days where we get to access the rivers easily. But this one was accessible. We parked by the roadside and checked the riverbank. It looked safe to get down close enough to the river. This is it. The best place for the fish. Let's go boys and fish.

There was a clear space for us to stand and comfortably release those fish. But something was stinky. A dead rat or chicken? eeewww. We need to do this fast people. Rap had a packet of fish to release while his brother had the other. Both boys happily let the fish free and watched them swim away. Some remained near where it was released and attempting to swim against the current. Shortly, we left and drove back. 

Holding packet of fish each at the riverbank

The boys had this little fun and experience. Maybe rap wont remember much but I have some photos for him to see. During my childhood, I could get close to a river behind my house to catch little fish and worms with my brother. We had aquarium and reared fish. I could still remember the fun we had back then when we got to this river to release fish instead. I was looking to see if there were those worms (cacing) like before. None spotted. Nevertheless, the fish is free and we are happy.

Releasing the fish

Go fishy. You are free.

New craze on baking

I wished for many years I had an oven, especially when I see all those cute cupcakes and cookies posted on the web. But there was hardly a space to fit an oven in my kitchen. Rap enjoys cakes. The problem with that is... it contains loads of sugar in the icing and that's exactly what he wants. Gosh.

Finally, we purchased an oven from Lazada and an electric mixer. I am so excited I couldn't wait to try. I went to shop for some baking utensils and ingredients. The first thing I try is butter cookies. Rap helped me with the cookie making. He wanted bus shaped cookies. 

That's fine rap, we can make bus shaped cookies.

The dough was quite dry and difficult to shape. Clearly, I did not follow the measurement of ingredients properly and end up having dry dough. I ensured I followed the recipe the next times and my butter cookies were so much better. I only managed to make some bus shaped cookies while the rest was made with teddy cookie cutter and star shaped cutter.

The cookies turned out fine and tasty too. Rap enjoyed them very much. I was pleased with the outcome too. Two weeks with the oven, I tried on few more recipes.

1. cupcakes
2. apple cinnamon muffins
3. orange muffin (though this one did not taste so orange, maybe because I did not include the peels)
4. raisin muffin
5. and more butter cookies

When I tried the apple muffin and raisin muffin, both tasted good. Rap enjoyed two apple muffins. It's one of the ways for me to feed him fruits ;) .

When rap and I made raisin muffin, he was waiting eagerly and kept saying he was very hungry and needs to eat. Patience rap, the muffin needs to cook and cool down. But, he only ate the muffin without the raisins! hmmm...it was my dad feeding him, so rap had his way for leaving out raisins.

I am so hoping to use my oven more and make new meals for rap to enjoy. One of which is to make pizza and bread. I had been busy lately and there are still more datelines to meet for my studies and job.

RAPs birthday

Rap's birthday was just around the corner but I had no idea what to do for him. On the same date, we were going to attend a wedding. A lot of time will be spent on the road to get to the wedding. But I have to do something for this boy. Rap and I had gone back to my hometown few days before his birthday. My dad kept asking if I was going to purchase a cake? Well, I'd love to, a bus cake.

I had asked a known cake maker about making bus shaped cake but did not receive any feedback. So I asked my cousin. She's not good at making bus shaped cake. Oh well. I am disappointed. I thought it was best to settle for those ready made cakes in the bakery. Maybe rap can choose the cake himself.

Few days before his birthday, 3 of us headed to 2 different bakeries. At least rap found something interesting in one of the bakeries. There is another possible bakery to check out but we were running late for prayers.

The next morning, rap said he wanted to go supermarket. Both of us took a drive but none of the supermarkets were open just yet. Too early rap. Then I decided to check the other bakery left from last night. There were some nice cakes there. I happened to ask the staff if we could order a design of our own. To my delight, she said yes but needs the picture. I quickly browsed the net for a simple bus cake and showed to her. She said they could do it for me. Perfect!

My dad collected the beautiful bus cake since we were away for a function. As soon as we got home, I couldn't resists but to check on the cake. I opened the fridge with caution. I wouldn't want the little guy to see me peeping at his cake. It's the fear that he would want to cut the cake immediately. I was satisfied with the outcome of the cake, simple with a school bus icing.

Later at night, I told rap that we will be heading to McD for his celebration where he can cut his birthday cake. Then he enquired about his cake. I told him it is in the fridge but could only cut it the next day. He nodded. I showed him and he went "wow" with both his hands on each side of his cheeks. I asked him if he likes the cake. He said YES. Oh, I feel so happy that we took that drive to the other bakery. On top of that, I'm glad I made the attempt to ask them instead of walking straight out. Well that's because I usually don't make such move to ask about extras and be satisfied with what's there.

On his birthday morning, I kissed him when he woke up and wished him. A BIG hug for my little guy. It's been an amazing journey for all of us so far. Rap was wearing a bus designed pyjamas, one of his new clothes. His tata (my dad) wished him when he got back from market while rap's dad was still asleep. After shower, he got into another bus designed t-shirt. Yes, it's all about bus this time. It's his favorite right now, I managed to find those clothes, so we let him have that joy. Maybe in future it is no longer about bus. I keep that in my mind. His interest may change and that's alright.

Rap was eager to head to McD as he wanted to play with his brother at the small play place. He kept asking me if we could go now. Dear rap, please be patient. It's still 2 hrs away. We managed to kill the time at home till it was time to go. Then, it started to rain. But we all made it there. 10 of us altogether. We cut the cake 1st after ordering our food. After meal, the boys went off to play while the rest of us chatted and enjoyed our meal. Simple and fun celebration. Rap blew his candles and cut his cake by himself. Oh, he is so grown now. I love a lot rap. Hope you enjoyed your birthday and maybe you will recall the moments when see the photos and video.

Rap's birthday cake, 2015

Time for myself but what did I end up doing?

During the Chinese New Year 2015 break, we had some fun time outside the house. One of those days was a moment at a mall. Rap enjoyed himself running around and trying most of the activities in the kids play area at JKids in Paradigm mall the last time we went there. I had accompanied him into the play area while he had so much fun. This time round, we thought of going there again but rap's dad was going to accompany him while I get some time walking around. Though not all outlets were open during the time, I had the leisure to walk around by myself.

It was a time for myself, 'me time'.

My thoughts is all about rap. So I ended up in Toys R Us looking for anything that would be suitable and interesting for rap to explore. I spent a whole lot of time looking at the things but did not purchase anything. Then I decided to just go sit in JKids and watch my boy play. After about 10 minutes, I felt he was doing alright and decided to walk around the mall again. I am almost always nearby rap, just in case he needs me. He used to look for me about every 15 minutes even though we are at home and he is playing with his tata. He'd just come, hug, sit on my lap, cuddle a bit or request me to play with him, like it is some kind of intermission during his play. Or maybe he remembered amma is in the room, he comes to check on me.

Well, back at the mall, I saw a manicure/pedicure centre. Maybe some pampering would be good. Unfortunately, they were not available for service at the moment and I have to wait.  What a waste, scrap the idea. 

I then went to bookstore. Looked around for books, not for my reading pleasure but for rap. I grabbed a few story books, an activity book and some stickers that has bus designs. The good part about time in the bookstore by myself was that, I had the luxury to take my time to look through the various choices without worrying about the whereabouts of rap in between the shelves. When I was almost finalising my selections, I got a call. The boys are out of the play area and are heading to the toy shop. So I hurried and paid.

When I got to the toy shop, rap was choosing some toy buses. I gave him the bus stickers and he was surprised and happy to receive them. "Thank you", said rap in such a sweet manner. I knew he was delighted to see those stickers. I showed him a bus book I bought. He has now shifted to my arms and looking at the book with much interest.

Although, 'me time' was almost entirely spent in looking and purchasing for rap. I was thankful for the little time I had walking around by myself without the worry of keeping an eye fixed on my toddler if he was walking too. Maybe this is how mummies spend 'me time', thinking about their kid, always putting their kid before their own needs.

Annadhanam preparation for Thaipusam

In my earlier entry, Annadhanam and free refreshment drinks since 1970 during Thaipusam, Penang,

I mentioned about some history of Ganapathy Singaravellan Thaneer Panthal and the purpose it was being put up. Doing annadhanam for many people comes with lots of dedication and hard work, it is not as easy as ordering the food from a restaurant. Instead all food are cooked and prepared in the panthal itself. This takes place overnight. Yes, overnight. It's no easy job cooking for 3000 people.

The usual menu in our panthal is rice, sambar with loads of vegetables and 2 side dishes. All dishes are definitely vegetarian since it is for Thaipusam. Can you take a guess how many kilograms of rice and vegetables we cook? There is no rice cooker in the panthal instead it is cooked in large pots filled with water in somewhat olden style. Once the rice is cooked, it will be scooped in buckets and poured over a clean cloth to drain the water. Once the water drains, the rice will be separate grains and placed in a clean container, covered. So, how many kilograms did you guess? It is 200kgs! Isn't that a lot? The rice is usually cooked in multiple batches due to the large quantity and stirred using a long ladle that looks like a mini oars.

The next main item is the sambar or lentil curry with lots of vegetables. Almost 150kgs of vegetables: patato, carrot, winter melon and tomatoes are put into the sambar. There are usually 2 large pots of sambar to be served and everyone is able to get sufficient vegetables with their rice. When annadhanam commences, the sambar is scooped into smaller buckets for ease of serving. It is steaming hot and remains a challenge for the person transferring it into smaller buckets.

The 2 side dishes are usually pumpkins (100kgs) and cabbage (80kgs). I love these combinations. Even while writing, I am salivating thinking about the delicious food.

We have a few friends who are able to cook in large quantities and usually do the cooking in the panthal. The chopping of all these vegetables starts about 7pm on eve of Thaipusam where friends and family join in to help. Many of us dread peeling onions as much as 25kgs. But there is a trick to peeling without tear, soak them in water. I have tried peeling and my eyes didn't tear. The cooking itself continues overnight till about 6am of Thaipusam day. The food remains covered and always under the watchful eyes of my father.

The annadhanam itself starts at noon of Thaipusam or as soon as we have enough workforce to do the serving and transferring the food from large pots into smaller buckets. One person is needed for each of these; giving out plates, serving rice, sambar, pumpkin and cabbage. While others do the transferring of food into smaller buckets for those who are serving. Sometimes, additional person to help pack for those who'd like to take away and enjoy later. Penang is Styrofoam free hence we now use plates and packaging made of sugar cane waste or brown packing paper. As friends join us throughout the annadhanam, some of us take turns to have a break. Usually the annadhanam commences until about 4pm when all the food is completely served. 

Though it is a tiring process, we would all feel satisfied and relieved that annadhanam concluded well. Warm, thankful words from devotees receiving the anndhanam fill our hearts. We could not be thankful enough for this opportunity of doing annadhanam. 

I am now eagerly waiting for annadhanam this year. All ingredients have been listed, some ordered and some to be purchased soon. Rap says he wants to help serve drinks with his cousins. But he is not even tall enough to reach the juice bucket! Nonetheless, he will help a little more this year compared to last year. Your tata will be too happy.