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I had a call from Mom yesterday morning around 9.45 a.m and panicked.

She doesn’t usually call me this early. Actually – she doesn’t really call me when I’m at work unless something’s up. We usually text each other

So associating something less than normal with that early call was somewhat normal?

I picked up the call, waiting to see what was up and more importantly what was going on, on the other side when I heard mom say ‘okay hold on’ and then comes a tiny voice sobbing ‘mommy, I want go you mommyyy, momyyyyyy, mommyy come home’

And this is not the first time she has called crying for me to go home and be with her.

I once had a call from mom again but this time my mom didn’t actually say hold on, I heard Sairah’s voice crying and asking me to come home. “Mommy I want youuu”

And like an idiot,  I asked her how she managed to dial my number when I should have known better, heh. It was rather hilarious though, trying to figure out how my close to 3 year old made a phone call to me.

On days like this, I re-affirm the idea that being a working mom isn’t easy at all. My heart sinks every time she longs for me to be with her.

Some days I wish I had that luxury to be able to not work.

Some days I resent the husband for not making enough so I don’t have to drag my fat ass all way to KL for a crap salary. And having to put up with f*ck-tards on the road. When I could be at home, waking up late with my toddler and doing fun stuff.

And on certain days (Wed, Sat & Sun), I have even bigger resentments with Magnum when I don’t see my numbers on Jackpot 1 and 2. Coz I swear the day I hit it I will QUIT and be a rich SAHM who can actually afford to buy what I want instead of waiting for an allowance from the husband. Which is also one of my biggest fear should I quit my job.

But of course, on her naughty days I’ll tell you how glad I am to have a safe place to hide out aka the office and not put up with tantrums and a screaming difficult toddler. As I was telling a cousin, the little breaks I have during lunch time to the malls on some occasion during weekdays is always a calm one – don’t have to put up with a toddler AND husband who doesn’t want to window shop or walk around. That’s my ME time.

Hmpf. Bloody life and it’s contradictions.

Now I can’t even decide if I rather be a working mom or SAHM.

Just when you think Monday Blues are for those working, you are SO wrong because kids loath Mondays too. Esp when they’ve had glorious moments sleeping in and spending most of their time with their parents. So sometimes on Monday, it’s funny how she’ll sleep through me blowing drying my hair with my hurricane of a hair dryer (or so it’s been called by many!) but just as I’m about to step out of the door, she wakes up crying and will ask where am I going.

Life of a working mom sucks big time sometimes.

Until pay day that is. Peanuts are still peanuts after all.

See the contradictions again?! Blasphemy.

But still, some days I don’t mind taking a break from the work force, maybe just for a little while? Hmmm

Anyway here’s sharing photos of my baby who will soon be 2 years and 9 months!

Went for a trial music lesson someplace closer to home and so far we like the method used. Yet to sign up coz we’re waiting for her dad to be done with his exams first.

Teacher said to close her eyes to ‘feel’ and hear the notes better in her ears. I was quite surprised when she could actually recognize her notes spot on. Then again, I shouldn’t be since she loves her music THIS much.

Hanging out with her Aunt and Uncles @ Chilis.

When I first got this outfit for her from a friend, the pants were actually long on her! Fast forward a few months, it’s actually more like a 3/4 pants on her now. Cliche as it sounds, they DO grow fast. And I say it’s time to go shopping but of course

Being a drama queen by pretending to be tired.

I”ve started her onto writing numbers and alphabets – while concentration is somewhat like her dad’s, heh, we are seeing some progress. So yay.

Went for one milk casting recently and they wanted her to re-enact a scene. After she was done, she actually cried and wanted to pose and ‘play’ some more! It was hilarious, even the guys who did her casting were laughing.  But I take comfort in knowing how much she loves posing for the camera – hope it comes handy in her life one day *cough* supermodel *cough* Ok I kid.

Ahoyyyy matey! I spot a bear in need of rescuing!

The End!

Oh and without a doubt, there will come a day when Sairah might say “Mom, just go away Mom” and perhaps not even want my company but for now, I shall enjoy these precious moments before life throws me another contradiction 10 years down the road in those tweeny moments!

Step by step, ooooh babyyy.

If there could be a few advise I’d give the single ladies, it would be to find a man who can cook! He doesn’t have to cook like a Chef, but it would be nice if it’s edible making him come in handy on lazy days! And that lazy day was on Saturday night when I decided to let the husband cook. He was more than happy to share his Chicken Kurma curry recipe so for the bored wife that I was, instead of cooking I decided to document it step by step. As I’ve said before, I’m no fan of cooking Indian food so I’m glad at least someone in the household can

For Chef’s Anand Chicken Kurma curry, you will need to chop up half onions, 6-7 clove garlic chopped (that man loves his garlic), few strips of ginger and half chopped carrots. I should add it wasn’t him who prettily chopped the ingredients up like that, just incase anyone thinks he’s super awesome in the kitchen. No, not really. Most days he annoys me in the kitchen.

In a pot, add oil and cook em all until golden brown.

See, liddat incase you don’t know how to saute all these ingredients together.

Next, add in 2 star anise into the pot.

Followed by one cinnamon stick

And then about 6-7 Cardamom pods. Which are the basic necessity of Indian cooking.  It ain’t Indian if you don’t find star anise, cinnamon stick and these pods floating in your curry ok?

Put in your diced chicken and for added flavor, he has mixed in chicken with bones too. He’s a HUGE fan of chicken with bones while I prefer mine boneless hence on Saturday he decided to compromise and put in half of each type, lol. Can you feel the love much? Now cook your meat until slightly brown.

Add in half tablespoon of Turmeric powder.

Stir to coat the chicken.

Put in half cup of water to create the curry.

Followed by 1/4 tablespoon of chili powder. More if you prefer it spicy. Less if  you have a toddler eating too.

Followed by one tablespoon curry powder

And of course, let’s not forget them Garam Masala.

Quite tempting to shove the spoon towards his nose

You can add in one tablespoon or more  (he later added in more which you will see in the photo below).

Add one teaspoon salt

Some cumin powder, roughly about one tablespoon too.

Let’s not forget the Coriander. And it helps to ALWAYS label your spices since Indian spices mostly look alike and can be confusing. Unless of course you are blessed with a nose that can sniff out these spices.

Close to one tablespoon will do. Mix and stir everything up.

Now put in close to one packet of coconut milk. If you prefer less, adjust accordingly.

Add in more water (roughly half cup).

You will now have a runny curry that could rival pee. But fret not, let it simmer and thicken.

And because the husband is typically Indian who loves his yogurt, add in about 2 tablespoon of plain yogurt.

Like so: incase you don’t know how yogurt looks like swimming awkwardly in a pot of yellow-brown curry

As Sairah would say: Stir stir stir…magic potion magic potion.

I lifted his shirt sleeve a lil to show some muscle and for eye candy purpose a bit but failed miserably, heh.

After 5-10 minutes of simmering, TASTE!

Add in more Garam Masala, Curry Powder or yogurt if you wish.

And check out the star anise floating around – see I told you.

While letting the curry to simmer and thicken again, run into the living room to check on your toddler who has suddenly gotten quiet.

Oh hai Mom, just reading me book…yup yup, nothing to see here! Go on and make my dinner. NOW! Please.

After a while, this should be the end result – curry made by a modern Indian  man And I say modern coz old school Indian husbands don’t really cook or know their away around the kitchen since they leave that up to their wives. My dad is one of em! But I guess that’s alright coz my mom loves cooking so much, unlike her daughter who cooks according to mood

And afraid of being called a lazy wife for not bringing anything to the table, ahem, I conveniently threw this packet of ready to eat Paneer when we went out grocery shopping. This took less than 2 minutes to prepare – just cut the foil and put in microwave to heat up.

End results. YAY!

In our household we never fail to stock up Kawan’s Chapati and Paratha for days when we want to make something fast!

You literally just have to take it out from the freezer and onto the pan and this needs no oil at all. It’s tasty to boot too!

See? Fluffy fluffy Paratha! Sairah just loves the wheat chapati and it’s healthy stuff .

Plate up your baby’s dinner – and as I passed the plate to her , she turned around and told me ‘it’s about timeeee!’!

The plate somehow looks creepily happy.

And then there’s mine

Yup Sairah approved for a quick yummy dinner.

So there you have it, a step by step pictorial guide on how to make Chicken Kurma by a husband who can cook. Seriously ladies, train that monkey man of yours to cook – you will not regret this, ever Well perhaps on days when they push themselves around in the kitchen trying to outsmart you, hmpf, that’s when I do believe you should shove a spoon of Garam Masala up their nose. Yup!

In view of Papa’s Day around the corner, I just realized I forgot to blog about my Mother’s Day.

It was my second year obviously celebrating the joy of being a mom (oh and the downs too!) and with the little one being older now, it was a Mother’s Day to remember. I didn’t get any cards or gift for that matter, but honestly that didn’t matter. The hubby just suggested lunch and asked me to pick a restaurant so I naturally picked a placed which used to be a favorite hangout for Iranian food.  To me, it’s the BEST middle eastern food there is. And if I”m not mistaken, a few years ago I blogged about going on a mission to try out every single middle eastern restaurant in KL but obviously that mission has been long abandoned for obvious reasons So to me, Persia Restaurant shall remain the bestest best place until I discover another bestset better best place

We used to go there often but ever since having Sairah, I can tell you we’ve not stepped foot there at all. At first I was sketpical if they were even opened coz as you know foodie business is in KL…one minute is opened, the next it’s out of business. But save to say, they’ve been around for years now which is a testament to how good the food is.

Yup, mama said she’s craving for some Iranian food, I hope it’s goood!

As usual, must stir any drink in sight. As usual also, we had the Iranian Tea.

Flat bread & Hummus as starters.  She was being particularly pally with her daddy that day and wanted to sit on his lap.

Baby giving me her Lil Sumo impression. Yes I”m this strong! On days when she refuses to eat her chicken and meat, my dad will remind her if she wants to be strong like him, she’ll have to eat her chicken. From then now it has somehow stuck to her head that eating chicken = being strong like grandpa, lol.

I wanna be just like grandpa!

And then there’s the main course which I love oooh so much. It’s been years since I’ve had it and it still taste just the same! I usually have the minced chicken kebab that comes with rice and a side of curry (which you have to request). There’s just so much flavors to it that makes it my favorite. The  hubby had the lamb which he said wasn’t as good as mine

Damnit why is the wife’s order always better than mine.

Baby girl showing me the leftover chicken in her mouth. Nah kidding.

I’ll open my mouth this big for vegetable if you buy me ice cream.

Deal?

Mama’s Day kiss…

And another one…oh what have I deserved to get lots of kisses

Hope the rest of you Mamas had a good Mother’s Day too. If you’re keen on making Persia Restaurant a place to dine this Father’s Day, do check out their website:

http://www.persiarestaurant.com/main.html

Each dish average around RM25-30 a pop. The settings of the restaurant is however simple and there’s not much to do in AmpWalk after lunch but one can always head down to Great Eastern Mall and perhaps have some delicious cakes in Alexis

They’re also on Foodpanda, if you’re too lazy to go all the way to KL (though they only deliver within KL area) which means you have to drive down to Ampwalk anyway, hah:

http://www.foodpanda.my/restaurant/m8zn/persia-restaurant-(ampwalk)

Meanwhile here’s wishing all the Daddy’s out there a Happy Father’s Day…without you guys, there will be no monsters kids, lol. So yes hope you mommies have got something planned out. I know I have for both the daddies in my life  :D

Sorry for the lack of updates, been lazy

Unlike my laziness, for the past one month, the husband has been studying hard for an exam. So you can imagine how my weekends have been. Actually you can also imagine the weekdays where the husband comes home, eats his dinner, plays with Sairah for a short while before proceeding to study all night long…..all night longgg (as Lionel Ritchie would sing, heh).

There are days he studies up to 2-3 a.m.

And last weekend – the weekend when his tough exams were nearing and creeping up on him, I was left to entertain my toddler so yea, I decided we’d just hit the mall coz I was getting bored of staying at home. And most of the times when we do go out on weekends, it’s usually for short periods of time which annoys me to no hell coz as it is, it takes 15 minutes to get my daughter ready, followed by 50 minutes to get myself ready – all that effort to look decent and it’s eventually marred by the husband’s ‘okay let’s quickly go home I need to study!’ – so you can imagine how annoying it is to only spend 1-2 hours outside before we get all bundled up into the car by the husband.

Like please, I take all that time to get ready for just a short trip to the mall?

NO. Just No!

It’s a mood killer, hmpf. But as far as sacrifices goes, it’s something I had to do. Just how like he’s been sacrificing his sleep and almost everything else, I guess I could put up with this.

But on Saturday, I took my mom and baby out to Publika coz she was asking for her usual ‘jungle gym’ – check out this video of her on the trampoline – so much excitement. And this second video is rather hilarious coz she made friends with a 12 year old (actually no idea why a kid that old was even in that play centre) so that kid told her to just sit down while she jumped furiously – Sairah had a ball of a time losing her balance, lol. I burst out laughing every time I see her legs kick up in the air like that.

I actually had 3 hours to kill alone with Sairah coz my mom went to get a facial done at Decelor which I got as a complimentary mother’s day gift thanks to TheLilacBox

It was the best 2 hours of her life, without us around that is.

Sairah peeking and waiting for her grandma to be done and over with it.

No daddy at the mall trip today…no problemo coz mommy bought me a toy and she’s not bad of a company!

I think this must have been my first outing to the mall with her alone for that long…just me and the brat out in public but safe to say, I managed a fun one-hour trip to Jkidz (bad back at all, I even went on the slide with her – must have looked a sight for a whale to be doing that, but whatever), followed by some window shopping and shopping of course and oh, the icing on the cake – I was actually able to sit down and sip on amazing latte in Ben’s without any tantrums/drama from her. She sat quickly next to me and ate her grapes. Bliss really. I can only imagine how if I were a SAHM – this is what we’ll do almost everyday, lol.

Let’s spend ALL the money!

But no, not really. Would you believe she’s all smiles over four small vegetable toy that only came up to RM10 that she randomly picked and wanted? Quite ironic that she’d pick those when she refuses to eat the real ones.

Oh and thanks to a friend (hello Sean!) I also discovered these awesome home-made gourmet marhies! Got it from the same toy shop who’s a stockist and it’s pretty awesomeee. Makes a great door gift too I reckon.

Do check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/fetemarshmallow

How random is this eh?!

Okay geez I’ve digressed so much about the mall trip when the focus should be on the husband!! See la so excited over a mall trip – no prizes for guessing who Sairah takes that after

Anyway, he finally sat for his exam on Tuesday which was a grueling 4 hours. I was so confident that I actually wrote him a congratulatory card since I was meeting him for lunch. After all he had been scoring decent grades on his trial papers. And he is a nerd without a doubt.

I  added this meme into his card. That’s him at the far left and the cat describes me best

I’ve ALWAYS hated studying so if you ask me to do that now I would seriously rather jab a fork up my face then yours for asking me to study.  I almost died when my father once suggested I take up my Masters. Like FOR WHAT?! I’ve always hated Uni and judging from some of my uni lecturers – the feeling was mutual.

Screw studying, I’m a full time student of school of life – exams are not welcomed! Life’s almost like a test everyday anyway.

Anyway, sad to say, despite all that studying he didn’t get through it. Which is yet another school of life biggest test where it tells you not everything goes your way sometimes in life. Hmpf. Judging from the report, he probably flunked by a few marks off. So sometimes, it’s better to fail miserably rather than by a few marks coz that’s the most painful part – besides the studying. I know, I’m not making sense…I hate studying!!

This was really how his face was the entire day….it ranged from mopey, to sad, to what-could-I-have-done-better, to I-cannot-believe-I-flunked to let’s just say it was tough for someone who has never failed an exam before in his entire life.  But I can tell you, it is tough juggling work, a family life, a wife who demands for so much and to top it off, an exam which is a killer! I told him to just chill coz surely there are far worst things in life than failing an exam?

Don’t think it went to his head though coz that night itself, he actually sat down and studied and did more trial exams coz he has signed up for a repeat of the exam in two weeks time.  So yea, you know what that means for me! But I gotta say, I do admire the persistence and his drive to pass to get this certification.  But as I told him, it doesn’t matter if he passes or fails again (but choiii la, let’s not let that happen God forbid), he’ll still be a person we both love and life will still go on beautifully as it is already.

My poor baby just happy to be sitting on her daddy’s lap

Oh and I did get him a lil gift though it was suppose to go with the congratulatory card, I actually hid the card in my cupboard and proceeded to give him this massage gift card from Hammam. I figured a good scrub and massage will help rejuvenate him a little (since he has been complaining of back aches and headache!) for the coming two weeks coz it’s gonna be crazzieeee. As it is, I told him I’m taking him out somewhere for Father’s Day on Sunday and he said we can’t stay out for long!

Meanwhile here’s seriously hoping he’ll make it through Round 2. As Chumbawamba Tubthumping song goes…I get knocked down but I get up again seems to be the best description but of course we’ll just leave the pissing the night away part out. For now, lol.

Pray for him! Thanks.

I’m not sure how many of you remember this dress which I designed for my little one a few years back. Hands up if you do And thank you for reading my blog for this long!

I know it’s a rather amateurish design and attempt even but the more I look at it,  the more I love it. And of course I should coz I designed it Anyway I was rummaging her wardrobe the other day and came across this dress. I tried it on her and what do you know, it actually fits her well now!!

Imagine the sheer delight in seeing my baby girl wear my design. Which is one of a kind mind you

I just love the slight flare at the bottom making it look quite like a tulip-like dress

Back view.

And another pose and smile from my one and only happy customer, lol. Hmm wonder if I should start designing another.

Wore that dress out to one of our cafe-runs during Sunday and thought I should share where this awesome cafe is! We’ve been here twice now and love the coffee experience there. So if you’re ever in the Plaza Damas vicinity, do pay The Brew Culture a visit. They’re on the new block that’s facing the old one and parking isn’t a problem and free too. I do reckon it’s a great place to hang out and recharge. Plus the owners are friendly.

Yes I can tell you it taste as good as it looks! One of the better lattes available in KL I swear. This is the Caramel flavored latte and oh lord, I can tell you my Sunday was amazing thanks to this.

It tasted perfect despite no sugar added.

Maybe if I smile this big mommy will get me some Boost Juice. She’s a sucker for my smiles.

I would have gotten her something IF she left her scrunchie on, haha.

Hmm what to do what to do while my parents stuff their faces with coffee.

That’s right I’ll rummage through the toys in the cafe that’s not mine.  Toys are always fun to play with when they’re not yours!

I love you so much despite just meeting you….

I will NEVER let you go…they can try to pry it off my hands if they dare!

Oops did you just take a photo of me having such thoughts?

Why you annoying paparazzi, get that camera off my face before I throw something at you!

Yup all that while the dad was busy drinking his coffee with a magazine in hand. Men.

Do check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/The.Brew.Culture?ref=ts&fref=ts and try their coffee, it’ amazingggg.

Anyhos, if you’re thinking of baking something this weekend, try this Nutella banana cookies which I plucked off from this site here. I didn’t add in the oats though and substituted the shortening with butter.

I can vouch this will be the yummiest nutella banana cookies you’ll ever bake. And it’s SO easy to whip and clean up too.

All ready to be baked…you can tell I added in generous amounts of nutella, a whole lot more than called for *shrugs*

I ran out of all-purpose flour and additional had to mix self-raising flour a little, hence the less than pretty shape but when a cookie taste this yummy, who the hell cares. Of course it would be a different story if I were selling these.

The end mouth-watering product: DO WANT

Sinfully yummy – despite the less than pretty appearance.

Must.stuff.all.in.face.

Too busy watching Sofia the Princess to the point of giving her mother a half baked good sign, lol.

And ladies and gentleman, this is how one should always end their Sundays – with a good cuppa coffee and freshly home-baked cookies.  You know what, next time I’m going pack these cookies along to be eaten in The Brew Culture. This would be a total killer combo.

Have a great weekend all.

P.s: Of course if you’re into Tea like I am as well, do check out this deal here.