Sara's Pies

You have to pardon a mother if she loves to chronicle the uprising star of the home.

Just am very pleased that No. 3 has taken over the role of helping out in the preparation of supper for the weekly home fellowship meeting in the house. Last friday she volunteered to prepare an apple pie and gained the approval of the many aunties at the meeting:

Apple Pie

Aunt Sheila : Eh Sara, so clever. Your mother taught you?
Sara : No. My mother never taught me anything about pies.
Aunt Sheila : Wa, how did you learn on your own?
Sara : Books and the TV.
Aunt Sheila : Next time your MIL will be so glad to have you as a DIL !
Ma : Hei Sheila, let me proud of her first la. Why MIL?
Aunt Sheila : No...I mean she will make a good wife...every MIL's dream
Ma : Yea...my dream...I wonder why MIL must come in here?

Yesterday, she took up another challenge...a chicken pie this time.

Sara : Mum, my friend has ordered a chicken pie from me. How much should I charge?
Ma : Well. depends on your cost.
Sara : Mum , shy la, classmate.
Ma : Then charge reasonably.
Sara : But I also want to make a profit...

She woke up at 6.30 am to make sure she delivered her product to her classmate before class started at 9am. I thought to myself ...why bother? How much could she charge? To wake up at an unearthly hour to deliver?...But that's not how a mama should think right? For her grit and focus, I must say she is a good girl. It's not the money...it's just doing the right thing.

Chicken Pie

Later, last evening she made another chicken pie using curry puff pastry for her aunties and uncles at the meeting. This time she also prepared some gravy. Gravy was a little too thick and dad said that making gravy was his forte. Why not him? Next better time, dad. Christmas is coming. Plenty of opportunities to make gravy...Turkey, Shepherd's pie...

Incidentally, the mint choc cup cakes she baked last weekend left an after taste which was worth relishing about. She creatively added ganache (mixture of cream and choc) in the cakes and yes IT WAS GOOD.

I don't have a particular craze over cakes or anything she bakes but this time, it was different. I gobbled down 6 and carelessly took the risk of adding weight to my already not right-shaped body! Sometimes I just don't care anymore! That's how good it was. But I will not ask her to bake mint choc cakes in the near future. It has created havoc to my system.

Mint Choc Cup Cakes

Sara : Mum, I feel so inadequate when I see how good chefs decor the cup cakes.

Mum : You are also good, girl.

Sara : No...the ones in the internet are so much better!

Anyway...whatever...I think she has tried and is still trying her best.

That is what matters...right? I am a proud mama ( not MIL)

30 years later...

Old friends...but we remember one another.

Chit Neo, Yon Bi, Son Boy, Chan Yoke, Seline

After all these years.

The geography Department of the University Malaya 1975-1978 came alive with some of us meeting once again in Mid Valley this afternoon.

30 years.

How to resist meeting them again?

Son Boy at 23

Son Boy 30 years later...she is still the same. Sara commented that Auntie Son Boy is so hip... and said, ma cut your hair and look like her....hahahahaha...Yea, yea , she has got style! She will also be a perfect MIL to a lucky woman!




Dug into an old album and there...Son Boy and me in Medan in 1980. Look at her, the way she wears her watch, her dressing ... so prim and proper. When at Mid Valley this afternoon I cannot help but admire her style. Neat, clean , meticulous and kind. She has always been my pal. From day one in those MU days. Her mama used to cook delicious hainanese chicken rice at Lorong Maarof, Bangsar and I was delighted each time I visited her. Aunty Au is still healthy and kicking, must make a point to visit her.



In those days, we were all very wise as we were all wife-material and decided to become teachers even then and make good, resourceful wives to some lucky men.

Chan Yoke, on the right of Son Boy, was my teaching partner in Assunta Girls' School in 1978. We were then under the mentorship of the late Dr. Koh Eng Kiat. You know something, as a student you need to get the hang of the mentor you are under. Just do things his/her way and get approval instead of protesting and getting yourself into trouble. Have your way later and you will be on the way to get a distinction. That's how I got one ....hahahaha...

However, not many have survived the teaching profession. Only Chan Yoke and I are still slogging ...the rest are rich tai tai lo.






This is right beside the Arts Concourse of Universiti Malaya then. Posing with Chit Neo after a class during our diploma-in-education year in 1978. Chit Neo is a contented wife and mother. She has 4 sons...tried very hard to get a girl but alas...her fate says otherwise. Hei...she is going to be a grandma soon and cheekily asked me when is my turn. Soon I said..wonder who is the lucky one?

So what did we talk about?

An excerpt:

Chit Neo : Ayo, what is your cholesterol level?

Me : Don't know...still living in denial. Haven't asked the doctor.

Yon Bi : Mine...6.9. But I am not taking any medication yet. I try to control my diet first. But I don't have a headache so I think still ok la.

Seline : I don't take any medication. In the UK we are forced to do our annual medical check up and if I'm not called back, I must be ok!

Another one,

Chit Neo : I found out we cannot simply take Chinese herbal medicine. My husband has been taking ginseng and statin and apparently it is too much and causing a thinning effect on the blood... not good

Yon Bi : Ya, cannot simply take Chinese herbs ...you do not the actual effect. Your liver will be affected!

Later,

Son Boy : I met Dr. Lee Boon Thong on a plane earlier this year.

Yon Bi : Oh, did he remember you?

Son Boy : I thought he looked familiar but I could not place him at first. Later, when he spoke I asked if he were Dr. Lee. He said which year?( all teachers ask the same question) Oh Chong Ik Poh's batch... Oh, that lady.. of course, of course.

Hahahaha... I used to teach his daughter, Julie, in Assunta ...and again when he came to collect the daughter's report book, it's mentor meeting mentee again... the world does go round in a circle.

Me, Dr, Lee, Son Boy and Peter Suan

Peter is in Malacca High School , still single but goes to Ireland every year for holidays. Why ah?
Chit Neo?

Earlier on we were asking about sons and daughters and their welfares and Seline shared a very wise thought. As long as they are happy, safe and doing what they like, that's her stand. I went through the statement again and again and suddenly realise how true it is.

As long as they are happy and safe.

30 years.

We will meet again...this time I am sure at a wedding dinner again. Son Boy, you go first.
We will meet again.

Why Not?

What is the cry of a child?

As I was clearing the annual garbage and preparing for the new term, I came across this small but significant booklet which has numerous expressions of a mum's love for her children. This is especially dear to me cos it was presented to me by my three girls in their primary school years and I have it with me all these years on the shelf in my room. If I don't recognise wrongly, the words scribbled were that of my no.2. Of course all three came out with their pocket money, I am sure.

I had a good time scouring through the encouraging words as they connect my relationship with my girls and precious to me. A mother's sacrifices come to naught when they remember you with fondness and kindness.

However, I was truly struck by the truth of this one expression:

To a child, love is spelled t-i-m-e.

A child's cry is just that. Time with mummy and daddy. So if daddy is the bread winner, the privilege will be the mummy's! Connection is essential for the wholesome growth of a being; an understatement; as the reality is shown in the many classic discipline cases I have seen in school. A father's and mother's roles are crucial for a well-nurtured child. And that needs time. No substitute. However, there is no complete euphoria in this world...how do we find time for the child?

My next reflection. If mummy is also a career lady, what happens? How much time now? Do we ask the extended family to take over? Grandma, grandpa, aunties, uncles, Filipino maids, Indonesioan maids, baby sitters? It's really not easy. But, the consolation is, children still grow up and some still turn out as fine. But what would you do?

Here's my 2 cent opinion.

If you are a male, take a teacher for a wife. If you are a female, and you want a vocation to vent out your talents, be a teacher. Halt it. That's just my opinion. You are entitled to your view. But I will tell you why.

Marry a teacher and

• you have one at home to look after your children's interests in school (no need to worry about exam dates, school calendar, ins and outs of school...)


• your children will be well taken care of during the holidays (save money on babysitting and keeping them out of trouble...)


• you will be informed of the latest education gimmicks in town (you leave it to her to decide on which path to tread; you have a consultant...)


• your children will be granted quality time with her ( afternoon naps, nursery rhymes, tv time, movie time, shopping sprees...)


• you have a ready chauffeur to chaperon your children here and there (tuition chores, activity time, going to school, coming home...argh)


• your bills and assessments will be settled without being fined (she lines up for you, remembers things for you...trained by the school to be meticulous...)


• you inherit all her pension when she leaves this world (she leaves the legacy of forever supporting you in your old age...)


• you have hot meals as she is also a part time housewife ( you can come home like a big boss and ask for food but please do the washing up...or you may find missing meals...)


• your home is well-managed ( sometimes she even sews the curtains, sews pyjamas for your children, beds are made-up, drains are scrubbed...)


• you have absolutely nothing to lose but everything to gain ( can you find a substitute?)

But never ever take her for granted cos if she leaves you...there will be a tsunami.

That's just my opinion...I know, I know you choose to say otherwise. But there's no denial that children of teachers have at least some quality time with the mother/father...with some exceptions! Even when ferrying the children to and from school they can share meaningfully and that is love spelled out. Being available when they need you is the key 'to love-spelled-out'.

And of course this modern society thinks otherwise. To be a teacher? NO WAY.

Come to think of it, my children's paternal grandma was a teacher, maternal great great grandpa was a scholar in China, great grand uncle was a lecturer in China, aunties of both sides are teachers and mummy is also a teacher...a family of teachers...now you know why they don't want to be one! But I am still advocating that they be lecturers in their profession. Possible? Nothing is impossible. Why not? Somehow, somewhere there is some teaching blood in the family... hint,hint...

To be a good teacher, however...hmmm...not everyone is a candidate.

November Babies

Well, you are always remembered as a baby on your birthday, agreed?

So here's the November babies...

The hardworking ones celebrating their big day together on the last day of the school.

The trio up there are saved by the bell...extended their service to 58...so guess their age. They don't look it, do they?

Happy Birthday and may many, many more come to pass.

And... Happy Hols. Goodbye to 2008.

MPT5/6 2008

24th October 2008

An evening of reminiscence and nostalgia. How swift time flies. I thought we just saw them coming into Seafield and now they are leaving us. They came in innocent with their clean, starched uniform , ready to listen...oh the doeful eyes. They are leaving us now...all macho and

ahemmm...you guess it! Identify the adjectives one by one.

An evening of youth, power, energy, creativity, talent and beauty!

The Annual Get -Away

This year we broke the record. A total of 38 teachers made it for the evening. Remember your diligent teachers? Who can forget Mr. Gan?

Creative. Boy becomes girl..girl becomes boy. But the voices...they tell tales.

The boisterous ones giving a most entertaining dance

Small in size but thunderous in voice. Yes, she has the vote....Seafield Idol

Our very own "Brosnan" of Seafield.

Vanessa Williams will also listen to her...Colours of the Wind

She is our pride...Teacher Viani... boleh juga!

A bevy of beauties...pretty maids all in a row, who's the fairest of them all?

Macho, macho on the wall, who's the 'handsomest' beau of them all?

You guess it...Miss & Mr. Seafield 2008

To a certain degree, it was poignant to see you all go ...one more batch. I have forgotten how many batches left? But each MT5/6 holds different meanings and moments.

However, the following thoughts remain the same:

• may the road taken be one of joy and meaning
• may you be bold enough to try the road less taken
• may you cultivate integrity, honesty, prudence and resilience in all your endeavours
• may you remain steadfast in all your ventures
• may you love your parents endlessly and not hurt them unnecessarily
• may you find the right spouse to go through life meaningfully
• may you be spared of sicknesses and diseases
  
  And on this evening before your exams, may all that we have taught you in Seafield give you the knowledge and discernment to go through the marathon courageously.
  Our very best wishes to you , dear boys and girls.
  

Happy Belated Birthday, Clement

She did it again

Ma : Wei, why are you baking again? No need to study ah?
No. 3 : It's Clement's birthday, mum! I've got an order from the girls.
Ma : Hei, you've got to get your priorities right. Study ah. I seldom see you read.
No. 3 : Eh, go ask my classmates. Ask them who asks the most in class. And when I do read, you are either fast asleep in bed or too busy looking into the affairs of my 2 jie-jie!
Ma : Okay...as usual.

But the cake does look impressive. Don't you agree?

Chocolate cake with succulent strawberry toppings

Great effort involved in the 'weaving of the basket'

Allie : Mum, Der Yin is so clever hehehehe....

Ma : So clever, meh?

Allie : Yes, you look, you look....

This nanny of hers kept repeating that her baby is so clever...ish!

And before I forget,

Happy Belated Birthday, Clement. God Bless.

Thank you, dear student

A powerful testimony

It was a usual casual day in school when upon coming back from my rounds I found a piece of writing on my table. It was entitled:

Andy Gan's Testimony

Andy Gan Hsien Loong, awarded the most active student in co-curricular activities of SMK Seafield in 2003 entered into the Malaysian Book Of Records as the "Youngest Golf Overall Champion" at the Sarawak Junior World Masters Golf Championship. A handicap 3 golfer at just 10 years old, Andy was internationally recognised as he emerged victorious in MSSS Golf, Johor Royal Precept Junior Open, Sapura Junior Selection , MacGregor Hong Kong Junior Open, to name a few. He has done Seafield proud.

From his testimony, I learnt about his predicament :

• diagnosed with leukemia (October 2007)
• ruptured appendix (N0vember 2007)
• bone marrow transplant
• relapse in mid 2008
• GVHD attack - chickenpox rashes (October 2008)

The above is quite a mouthful and painful to the eyes. One actually cringes at the recount of the sufferings and yet Andy has put many to shame with his outlook in life...although I have gone through a tough experience, there is a bigger picture there painted by the Lord in my life. Hence, I do not need to worry but just to delight in Him.

Andy continues to testify ;

The Lord is ever faithful and led me to use a book entitled "Give Me Forty Days of Healing" by Feeda Bowers in my devotional time with Him...wow everyday was like something new in store for me and He speaks every time and everyday as I first gave my covenant time to the Lord, I could commune with Him with much intimacy...

Covenant time...intimacy with God. I wonder how many people spend such quality time with God? Andy is right. It is through such soul searching times that much strength and hope is drawn. I am strengthened through his walk with God. You have taught us what it means to be in the presence of a merciful and loving God. At 21, you have gone through much and you have brought many to shame when they take their relationship with God so carelessly.

Another excerpt:

...on a Monday night, while having dinner at home, the GVHD attack came suddenly and attacked me on my skin...I felt very itchy and uncomfortable. My parents were worried and thought of rushing me to SJMC. But I did not want to be warded again...

I wanted to stay at home and spend time in the presence of the Lord...

I am not ashamed to admit that I broke down in my room at this statement...in the presence of the Lord... My heart tore as a mother and as a teacher to you and as I felt the presence of such a strong and meaningful relationship you have with Jesus. I envied you and long for such intimacy with God. You further related...

Thus I prayed and claimed in Jesus' name that all the attack and discomfort would be taken away and new skin would be restored to me. Praise the Lord ! After an hour, my skin condition returned to normal and I need not go to the hospital. Praise the Lord...I hope my testimony will encourage your faith to rise...prayers can move mountains.

Thank you Andy for being such a great testimony and helping us to put our perspectives right in life. You have taught us not to complain about small little discomforts but to be grateful each day for all the good things and then to count our blessings one by one.

Andy, our good God loves you. You know that. Nothing can happen to you without the permission of Jesus. But most of all ; He will provide you the strength. Be strong and courageous just as he reminded Joshua. Shalom to you too, Andy.

Lemon Cakes

On one fateful afternoon last week,

Mama : Girl, hop in now. You have to accompany me to Bangsar to claim a cheque.

No. 3 : No, I wanna bake.

Mama : Bake later.

No. 3 : No. Garrett's coming.

Mama : Later...the bank's gonna close soon.

Of course, grudgingly she took my instruction and gave me no peace through out the whole time.

I have learnt to keep silent at times. There's no point in arguing when the good sense of a person refuses to take over. So, I tried the fastest route home and paid whatever tolls I needed to just to be home by 5 pm.

One task down but lo and behold...she came home to discover her cake mixer down too. How come? Why?

N0. 3 : Ma, the cake mixer is gone.

Mama : OIC...why?

No. 3 : Dunno

Sara, I believe, always holds some biblical truths to herself, one of which is Ephesians 6 : 1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right...that it may go well with you...

The cake mixer was life to her...cos she is crazy about baking both awake and asleep. So at that moment, things didn't go too well...

No. 3 : Mama, papa says he's gonna get me a new cake mixer.

Mama : Why did the mixer konk out ? You see...when you are defiant...

But the mama also remembers Galatians 6 : 4 Fathers, (mothers too, I suppose) do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

So everyday, we learn to have win - win situation ... I forgive and you forget...and go on.

So papa gave green light and together with Garrett went shopping and got the new Kenwood Mixer! (like real)

With the new mixer, she came up with 2 new recipes:

Lemon cupcakes

Lemon cake with raspberry cream

Sara has grown generous. She allows me to share the recipe for the above concoction but as you can see she has gone goo goo ga ga over cake decor too. The cakes above are 'lemoney' in taste and are good! No kidding.

So here's it :

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp zest

1/2 cup butter

2 tsp lemon juice

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

She is consoled that though the recipe is shared it may not turn out as well cos it's her touch , she says! Aha.

Last night aunty Joan invited her to her Home Fellowship to teach the aunties how to make sardine rolls. Of course she grew famous overnight and shared that all the aunties asked how she picked up the skills. She said 90 % inspiration and the rest from recipes, internet, TV shows .(Sugar is her favourite).

She hopped into the bed between daddy and mama and inspired again by her involvement in the 21st Law Asia Conference 2008 during the day time , kept saying;

Zaid Ibrahim is my new hero.

Talk about passion and focus.