Back at work...

[Note: Must update this. It's March. Sorry for the remiss.]

Been 15 days already since I came back to work after a three-month leave. Boy have I got a lot to catch up on and get used to all over again... waking up early, daily wardrobe battle, skipping home breakfast, getting caught in the morning traffic, hair woes etc... etc... etc... Workwise, I just need to refresh my memory and sharpen my skill once again.

The hardest part about coming back to work after a long official inactive existence is not the work. It's about being away from my baby for the first time after spending every second with her for the past 3 months. But I supposed if other working new mothers can do it, so can I. I just have to brave it every day and keep myself busy for the next 8 hours before rushing home to my little family.

Gotta look excited, right? =)

The kind of work I do however does not always include going home on the dot. In fact it also includes being away from home for a few days when the work requires it. I used to love traveling and going outstation or visit new places when I was single, because it was the only way I could escape from reality. The irony of it is of course the relaxing and soul searching part that I used to find when I did get away.

Now... I'm not sure how to put it. I still love traveling, it's just perhaps with a heavy heart.. .what's with it being left at home with the baby/daddy and all. However, if it's a holiday travel together, that would be a totally different thing. :D

How's the baby doing? She's fine! The first month was an adventure as clueless new parents, both us and the baby getting to know each other and setting up a routine (or upsetting a routine hahaha then reset). The second month was independence period, me learning to handle the baby on my own without my mom around. The third month was a revelation... when the baby begins to coo and smile and learning to recognize faces. Her sleeping routine though hasn't changed much.

And how is the daddy doing? He has been such a tremendous pillar of strength for me. Because we're doing this alone without staying-in parents or nannies or babysitters, he has been very involved with Carissa's development since day one. I must say he's such a natural with babies. :D He is even a pro at bathing an infant, trust me. Even Carissa love her bath time, judging from her cooing and smiles when she's in the tub with daddy holding her.

Baby-mommy leisure time at home... pardon the mess...

 

I miss one thing though... little baby otter moving in my womb actively for the past few months before her delivery. I tell her that every chance I get now. When I look at that adorable lovely face, I just couldn't fathom how such an amazing miracle ever lived in my belly for 10 months. The wonders of God.

So here I am.
Back at work.
Life goes on.
Happy to return.
Have a blessed Wednesday everyone!



Almost missed March... And some homemade cooking!

What can I say, even a busy bee is not as busy as me. Exaggerating, of course.

Life has been awesome thus far. So many things to write about, if only I have the time and patience for it. As it stands, I am stuck between experiencing a writer's block or merely going through a state of complete idleness (from blogging i.e).

It's the beginning of the year, and that probably explains the block. The Key Performance Index or KPI lists go on and on and I/we must catch up with or run faster than it, as long as I don't get left behind before the third quarters. That's work for you. Work hard now, play hard later. 

Won't it be nice to be a housewife and still get paid what I'm being paid now? Travel the world every now and then, do as I please, spend as I may, write what I want. But alas. Isn't that every woman's dream job?

But, I have been visiting the kitchen more often these days because it's so therapeutic. And nothing is as flattering and as rewarding as having your husband gaining weight from all those loves. Hehe.

While we're at it, here's a simple recipe for Kueh Tiaw Indulgence Soup (because most everyone can fix this. It all depends on your taste buds, your creativity and how indulgent you want to be.)

My Ingredients:

- 1 packet of plain kue tiaw (store-bought)
- A handful of fresh medium sized prawns (or as many as you like in your soup)
- 1 chicken thigh 
- Three-layer pork (about 3 inch length) - sliced thinly
- A handful of fresh bean sprouts (taugeh)
- Bok choy or choi sum (or whatever greens you prefer)
- 4 fat beef balls (store-bought) (if you prefer)
- Onion & garlic
- Parsley leaves (or you can also opt for coriander leaves)
- A pot of water
- Chicken stock
- White pepper powder (if you prefer)
- Vegetable oil & sesame oil
- Birds eye chilli (cili padi)
(Note: This serves 2 only) 

My Methods (instructions, if you may):
1. Boil the chicken thigh in a pot for 20 - 30 minutes or until cooked. Take out the chicken and wait to cool.
2. Use the same water in the pot to boil the deshelled prawns (I normally leave the heads to preserve the taste) for 1-2 minutes until the color comes out. Take out the prawn and wait to cool.
3. Bring the same water in the pot to boil, add onion & garlic, beef balls, extra chicken stock and pepper for seasoning and flavors, add a few drops of sesame oil. Taste the soup according to how you prefer. Leave the soup aside but keep it boiling on small fire.
4. Put the slices of pork in a non-stick pan and fry using its own lard on a small fire, until crispy. Put aside.
5. Fill another pot with water, bring to boil and add drops of vegetable oil. Once boiled, blanch bok choy, beans sprouts and kue tiaw in it until slightly soft; probably 1-2 minutes only. Cut the boiled chicken into few bite-size pieces.

All the ingredients are now ready. Here comes the easy part.
7. Arrange kue tiaw into two servings inside two bowls. Arrange crispy three layer pork on top of the kue tiaw, add the boiled chicken, bean sprouts, bok choy, and prawns in equal share. Arrange nicely, presentation does matter.
8. Pour the soup on top of the serving, and garnish with red chillies and parley leaves.

Voila! Dinner is served!

Easy right? And yeah... You can't really see the kue tiaw, it's like emm... drowned by all the awesome ingredients on top and all around. And that's why I named it Kueh Tiaw Indulgence Soup everyone! Hehe.

Have a great weekend ahead! Muahh!