Blogging needs the right emotions

Like right now, I'm tuning in to FM99.7 on Pittsburgh radio, listening to those sweet old love songs and songs of easy listening. It's an exactly 12 hours time difference here compared to Singapore, and now at 11.17am it's about the right time to get sentimental. It used to be 2am or so when I was back in the NUS halls, but I don't sleep that late these days (which explained also why I have been blogging much less after uni life).

Have been in Pittsburgh for close to a week now. School has been good - the regular 9am-noon lessons from Mon-Thu keeps us on our toes, especially with the weekly assignments due. Most of the afternoons so far were spent in school studying in our classroom. Some of the sporty guys often go for table-tennis, or a basketball game. Then almost the same gang would play Counter-Strike in class on alternate days. So far I've tried a few games on the pool table, but no table tennis coz my skills stand at the level in my primary school days.

Life's good, going back to those studying days where you can spend the entire day working out sums or programs. Then you'll take a break by going for a run, or take a short walk around the neighbourhood. Living on your own adds on the fun of cooking meals, and it's even better when there's a very willing chef in your apartment.

Tonight I'm having the whole apartment to myself and it does feel different to be alone and having the space to really think. It's like all of a sudden the numbness and indifference to the current environment around me are gone. I can feel better, which is a good thing coz I have been feeling pretty indifferent for the past few days, perhaps due to mounting school load.

Oh and I did a run yesterday evening around school. Conquered this slope that stretches endless (it seems) and had a good run, though my nose ran a bit after that. There was the sun, but wasn't too hot as it's not as humid as in Singapore. And now my legs don't feel arching either. Will try more running and include swimming next week. :)

Meanwhile I got to chat with WW and Mama+Papa+Tian earlier today morning. Glad to see everyone's fine and will try to chat with WW again tomorrow morning. For now, gotta sleep! Trying to kickstart a healthy lifestyle by sleeping and waking up at 7am every morning. Woohoo!

Mama's Recipe - 猪脚醋

I was learning this wonderful dish from Mama the whole of yesterday, starting with our trip to the dry market.

Ingredients:
- Old Ginger, one big piece (lighter, thinner skin)
- Vinegar, 1 bottle (dog brand, pink top label)
- 猪手， 一只 [Pig's front trotters, 1 piece]
- 猪脚劲，二十条 [Pig's trotters tendons, 20 pieces]
- Gula Melaka sugar, 2 round pieces
- 麻油 [Sesame oil]
- 酱清 [Soy sauce]

Cooking Steps:
- Boil pig trotters in pot, remove dirt while in pot
- Drain pig trotters with cold water
- Wash pig trotters and cut away hardened white skin, if any

- Wash, clean and skin chunks of old ginger, cutting away sprouts if any
- Hammer till loose
- Fry in wok with 麻油 till dry

- Fill claypot with a little water, ginger and about 1/3 bottle of vinegar over big fire to boil
- Put in trotters, bigger pieces first
- Top up the vinegar, to near the brim
- Cover claypot and bring to boil before simmering

- Stir the pot when necessary to avoid meat from sticking to the pot
- About an hour later, add the tendons. Timing depends on how soft you want it to be.
- Boil then simmer
- Nearing 2 hours after boiling, add soy sauce and Gula Melaka.
- Turn off gas and it's ready to serve.

Yummy 猪脚醋！！
黄妈妈绝佳秘方!

Random pictures

Pasir Ris Park with WW last Saturday

Studying in NTU Jan - Apr 09

Doing chim stochastic calculus stuff made me distracted

See the kingfisher on the branch of the tree behind our FTR classroom

NTU roads are beautiful, with green leaves shading your road. It's always a pleasure to drive around school, though school campus is not that big.Sis-in-law's doggies

Shasha headSuch an adorable Ally.
More pictures of Summer the Dog to be up soon!

Me with short hair! Looked just like Tian

Weekend updates (post exams!)

Exams over last Thu! And I'm free for two weeks, before flying to US!

Been out enjoying my freedom so far. Went shopping for swimsuit at Parkway Parade, then straight on to swimming at Tanjong Katong Swimming Complex under the beautiful setting sun. 26 laps and I ended up with slightly aching back and legs and that night. But swimming is good; it's both relaxing and strenuous as an exercise. Only that some swimmers (guys somemore) just couldn't give way and kept on banging head-on onto you in the same lane. So rude.

Saturday I went for hi-tea at Aquamarine with MFE folks. The food was so-so; the company was not bad. I suppose it's the last time we're meeting the profs and administrators in NTU, not until we're back from CMU for the convocation in late July. I'm not gonna say how time flies again, coz we're all pretty immuned with how fast good things pass us by.

WW and I went for a walk at Pasir Ris park before dinner at 娘家. Pasir Ris park was one of the places that could provide a beautiful sunset view that spans across a vast spectrum. You could see the dark clouds with lightning on the left, the dawning sunset yellows on the right, and the blue skies with green islands as background in the middle. WW pretty much enjoyed the view too, for it gave him the space to ponder and relax.

Today we were back to swimming at Pristine Heights, which we did last Sunday too. The sun was scorching hot, thus it helped to be in the waters but the waters were so cold that I was having a running nose in the pool. Just today the rental agreement for this apartment was confirmed. Wonder where we could go swimming privately the next time. I still wish to stay in a condo, but again, I wonder if that's possible. One of the perks of living in a condo - to have your own swimming space without having to squeeze with the rowdy guys and learning kids at the public pool, especially during the weekends. And it's always more breezy at high-floors, a thing I've grown used to having since my room at 娘家 has perpetual winds.

I'm hooked onto Restaurant City game on Facebook now, though it's pretty mindless and non-stimulating. But it's still interesting to see how my wealth is building up from my restaurant business (though I spend the earnings once they come in), and how I can beautify my little den.

Next two weeks is going to be catching up time with friends, quality time with hubby and family. May these two weeks go by slow.

感触许多

I was browsing through my wedding photo album, looking particularly at the ones taken with my family. Wonder if it's the photography effects, or is it true that my parents have aged? I paused at the photo below. It evoked a feeling of melancholy in me, to realise that Apa has indeed aged over the years. He didn't used to have that many strands of grey hair, that somewhat weathered look. My heart twitched.

I love my family, and wish that they be healthy and happy always. I can't help but smile when I see the photo below. Ties between siblings bond forever.

And now that I have a new family, I am learning to love and care more. Kinships may be hard to build up, as compared to the ties with your natural-born family. Open up your heart and be as receptive to receiving as well.

Good life despite exams

Exams next week - Tue, Wed & Fri. We should be used to the fast pace of school, having exams every seven weeks, but it still depends on the quality of your professors and the standard of the individual modules. This time round we have quite a slack professor, who did not give sufficient examples for us to be familiarised with the material. Then, there is one very tough stochastic module which most people find difficulty in understanding. During the three-week break in December, I even dreamt of failing one module and was worried it could be this. But after trying out the past year papers and going through the whole module, I find this manageable after all.

Wanted to blog the past few days, but was occupied with solving assignments and examples (which the prof did not go through with us). Last Monday I dropped by SGX and was lucky to meet the ones I meant to meet :) It provides some comfort knowing that I should be going into the department I desire. And although the future boss told of the huge amount of work waiting for me, I was rather excited about the challenges upon my return to the office. I met up with three SGX frenz for lunch at Amoy, and realised some things do not change with time, like a strong friendship. Of the group, three of us have been good friends since we joined the company and the way we chat during lunch is still as our first lunch four and a half years back. Only thing is now I can't really tahan the heat and stuffiness, maybe because I'm running around outdoors most of the time and appreciate temporary air-con better.

Today is WW's bday! No celebrations - as per the hubby's wishes, but I gave him his presents still. Also coz of my exams, we're staying at home the whole day. Perhaps will go for a nice meal later when he wakes from his nap. May WW be happy always!

Dim Sum lunch with Wong Family

On Sunday, we went for a dim sum lunch at Red Star Chinese Restaurant to celebrate Tian's and my birthday. WW and I reached first to find a long queue snaking to the lift lobby but heng it wasn't that long a wait. WW said the food was not good enough to warrant such a long queue. I don't know much about dim sum's standards, but thought it was nice to just point and order the dim sum dishes as and when we like. Too bad the dan tats ran out fast! And we weren't able to catch the trolley lady with the egg tarts.

Monkeying around, HC that is.
Tian & HC
Indoor settings and deco. It has 60 tables or so, can house a big banquet!

WW & YZ
Mama & Papa

Check out all our birdy faces. What a candid shot taken by WW.

Family photo!


What is Shou Bi laughing at?Wong Tian pushing down my tummy fats.. haha. What a thin forearm she has.

CNY officially ended with 元宵 yesterday. Everyone's back to the full-steam working or studying mode. Boohoo, when is our next break coming up?

CNY photos - 大年初二

We were at Ah Fong's house on the second day of CNY. Every year she would invite relatives and friends to her place at BLVD. Last year we missed the visit, and missed the proposal by Chris Lee. Wonder how big the bling is!

Ama with QQ (舅舅） at the dining table

Tian and HC
Wong Family with WW and WY (me the photographer). Bad lighting though.. there was too much light at the background
Shou Bi tucking into the 棚菜
Wow! Lotsa abalones, prawns, scallops, sea cucumbers and delicacies
WW and Wanyi

Turning 28 tomorrow! No birthday wishes, just hope for good health and happiness for my loved ones.