Auntie Tips (28)

Tip 1:
Stretch a rubber band around the rim of a covered container to prevent ants from getting in.

Tip 2:
To prevent dripping fat from flaring up the flames when barbecuing meat, cover the hot charcoal with a layer of fresh lettuce leaves.

Tip 3:
To salvage an overbaked cake, pour 1/4 cup of milk evenly over the cake while it is still hot. Once the milk has been absorbed, turn the cake pan over and let it cool.

Tip 4:
To get your fish really crispy, immerse it in milk before dipping into flour.

Tip 5:
When sewing on buttons, use two separate threads for each side of a four-hole button. It is unlikely that both threads will break at the same time, so you won't lose your button.

Tip 6:
Don't discard old contact lens cases. Use them to store a dab of facial wash and moisturiser for those overnight trips.

Tip 7:
To prevent worms or weevils from infesting your rice, place a few drops of cooking oil in the rice bin and shake it well or add a few dried red chillies.

Tip 8:
To remove candle wax from a carpet, fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and place it on top of the wax for a few minutes. Then gently lift off the brittle wax with a blunt knife.

From : Simply Her - Feb 2008

Auntie Tips (27)

Tip 1:
If you have an ant problem in your home, find out where the ants are entering from. Sprinkle cinnamon powder or ground black or white pepper there.

Tip 2:
To keep your room free of mosquitoes, cut a lemon in half and press whole cloves into the skin. Lay the lemon, cut side down, on a plate and place in the room - it also helps scent the air.

Tip 3:
Polish silver accessories with Hoi Tong white pressed powder (from Chinese medical halls). Put some on a cotton pad and rub silver till it shines.

Tip 4:
If your chopping board is discoloured, rub some salt on it and leave for half an hour. Then wash with a scouring pad.

Tip 5:
To get rid of the burnt taste from burnt rice, place a slice of white bread on top of the rice while it's hot. Replace the lid and wait a few minutes, then remove the bread.

Tip 6:
Put expired tea bags to good use - place them in shoes and wardrobes for a pleasant fragrance.

Tip 7:
Cut cotton buds in half and pack several in a small zip-lock bag (those holding medication are ideal). They are handy as eyeshadow or concealer applicators, or to remove excess makeup when you're on-the-go.

From : Simply Her - Jan 2008

To the cinema : Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

After the quite diasppointing "Half-Blood Prince" in my opinion, I was expecting more from the "Deathly Hallows". No doubt it was only part 1 of 2 (which I think is an attempt to make more money from us before the whole Harry Potter saga ends), I still had quite high expectations for it. It was also partly due to the feedback from the Harry Potter fan (my sister) that it was good.

But once again, it kind of disappointed me. It started off quite exciting, and I was expecting the same kind of action and energy to continue throughout the show. However, it didn't really worked out for me. To be honest, I could only feel the evil and sinister part of the dark lord getting more powerful. I didn't feel Harry Potter or his friends getting more confident or powerful to defeating him.

And as my friend had so rightly pointed out, the flow of the story was not that fantastic either. Like there was about 5-10 minutes of excitement and action, then followed by a whole 30 minutes of nothing, with no surprises or unexpected happenings. It was getting kind of predictable as the 2 hours and 10 minutes dragged on.

In my opinion, if they were to cut down on those long and draggy parts, there might not be a need to have "part 1" and "part 2" for this final episode. So, I'm off to finding the book and finish reading the "part 2" and then decide if I want to spend on catching the movie when it comes out 6 months later.

Universal Studios Singapore

A good friend of ours decided to invite us along to Universal Studios Singapore as her company was having a family day there and the weekend tickets are going at the price of a weekday ticket.

As expected with new tourist attraction, it was quite crowded and queues for the popular rides were long. But we did managed to take the rides recommended. I couldn't remember when was the last time I took an amusement park ride. I got to admit that my legs did feel kind of shaky after the "Revenge of the Mummy" ride, which we concluded was the most fun of all.

The "Rapids Adventure" ride in Jurassic Park, the one where everybody will get wet, was quite disappointing. We spent almost an hour queuing for it, only to experience a few seconds of thrill.

However, some of the featured shows were quite good, like the Shrek 4D movie and the Steven Spielberg special effects theatre. And then there were the random performances on the streets, and the occassional meeting of movie characters, like Shrek and Fiona, Frankenstien, Po, etc. Even though we all knew that some were only costumes with people in it, something about these characters that bring out the child in us. I wouldn't mind spending a whole day there just to wait for these characters to come out and take photos with them. ;p

Krabi (22nd Oct - 25th Oct)

After strong recommendations from my sister-in-law, we finally managed to have a short getaway to Krabi (Thailand). It has been a while since the husband and I went on a holiday and I was really looking forward to it.

It was like a little town that just depends on tourism for a living. There are no famous local produce, or handicrafts or any such things that is a must-buy for tourists. Instead, tourism in Krabi depends totally on all the tiny islands/beaches surrounding the area. As the pictures show, the view is spectacular and the water is always crystal clear. We spent 2 full days island and beach hopping, and the husband also had a blast of the time snorkling on both days.

We went on a long-tail boat for the first day and it was quite an experience. As it cannot get too close to shore, it was a challenge getting in and out of it. The waves were constantly shifting the boat's position, and depending on luck, the water could just reach your calves, or all the way up to your thigh when you attempt to get out and find a spot where your feet could touch solid bottom.

The second day was spend travelling on a speed boat. Though the time taken for travel with a speed boat was half the time of a long-tail boat, it didn't make the moving up and down of the boat any easier. But at least we got to try the two different modes of travelling on water.

The husband is already thinking which island to go snorkling and relax next. Honestly, it was really fun and enjoyable to have a short trip once in a while, where you are not bound by the schedules of itinerary.

Auntie Tips (26)

Tip 1:
To get rid of stains in your electric kettle or airpot, place lemon slices inside, fill with water and boil.

Tip 2:
To get rid of the stickiness left on your fingers by tape, rub fingertips with salt and rinse.

Tip 3:
Remove tomato sauce stains from plastic containers by rubbing with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda.

Tip 4:
Treat oil stains on clothing right away - sprinkle with baby powder, cornstarch or artificial sweetener to absorb the oil. Rub in liquid detergent to treat remaining spots, then wash in the hottest water suitable for the fabric.

From : Simply Her - Dec 2007

Incident for thought (6)

It was a typical workday morning, on the MRT to work. There was a couple, maybe in their late 30s, with the wife sitting and the husband standing right beside her. When the train stopped at a station and the passenger besides the wife alighted, the husband moved to take the seat. But at the same time, another auntie came out of nowhere at lightning speed and was going for that seat too. They bumped into each other, and after each giving the other a "how-dare-you-snatch-my-seat" look without a word, the husband sat down, conveniently ignoring the auntie's deadly stare.

I didn't know why this incident bothered me. Maybe it was the way that the guy still took the seat when he knew that the auntie was going for it too. Or maybe it was just the traditional me, still believing in the "gentleman spirit".

Natalie is 1!

My dear niece is one today. Time really flies... She had "changed" from this ...

... to this...

Cute as she may be at times, she can be one bossy, fussy and demanding little kid too... haha...

In memory of HW

No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny

without leaving some mark on it forever

~ Francois Mocuriac

Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will always remain, in our hearts, a great friend, a wonderful and loving husband, father and son. 

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This has been one long overdue post. And I apologise for that shadow at the corner of the photo. I think that I was too hungry at that time to care to re-take another proper photo. I could still remember that it was delicious, despite looking a bit sad in this picture.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta (recipe from here)

Ingredients :

- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon basil, chopped fine (I substituted with dried parsley)
- 4 oz dry linguine
- Grated parmesan

Directions :

1) Place the shrimp in a bowl and add one teaspoon of garlic, the lemon zest and the vegetable oil.  Stir and let marinate while the pasta cooks.

2) Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but cook for one minute less than instructed.

3) During the last three minutes of the pasta cooking time heat the butter in  a large skillet until it foams.  Add the remaining garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Add the shrimp with the marinade and cook for 30 seconds, or until the shrimp are just turning pink.  Add the basil and stir to combine.

4) Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the pasta and add it directly to the pan – work quickly or your shrimp will over cook.  Stir to combine, allowing the shrimp and past to cook the rest of the way, about one minute more.  If the sauce does not coat the pasta completely add a bit of the cooking liquid to thin it out.

5) Top with grated parmesan and a spritz of lemon juice.  Enjoy.