Kong Hei Fatt Choy !!!   Everyone Fatt, Fatt big big this year!!  lots of “kum” coming into your home and businesses.   May the dragon year bring everyone good luck, good health, good eats and good money!  And the box of “kum” is for the Zhu’s who’ve always been so kind to us.

We’ve been invited to several Christmas parties this year and Chloe and PB baked some sugar cookies to bring to our hosts – we thought it would be a nice gesture since most of our friends have everything and insist that we don’t bring anything except ourselves.  We had to turn down some parties because we were afraid that the weather may not permit us to travel to and fro for the parties – plus in previous years we’ve seen many accidents on the highway – even when the snow wasn’t so bad – it’s the ice on the road that causes these accidents.   Of course,  medical help would be there when the need arises but why court trouble when you don’t have to right – so we only attend parties right in town and the time has to be right too – because of Chloe’s food – she is a fussy eater.

PB always insist that he is a careful driver – and I always remind him that it’s not him I’m worried about on the road – it’s those that are drinking during their parties or those who’ve ate too much – and falling asleep on the road.  You can never be too careful – so this Christmas season – for those who drink – don’t drive and if the weather is bad – don’t go out – because you may be a cautious driver – but the person riding down the highway – may not be – or the road conditions just may not be the best.  Be safe this Christmas and always have an emergency kit with you in the car and a number to call for Medical Emergency Assistance.

I have to admit that since coming to Canada – I haven’t been too concern about the dress code when I go out for dinner or lunch.  Quite the difference as compared when I was working in Singapore – that’s for sure.  Well, in such a small town – and also because of PB’s nonchalant attitude towards look – I too – dress down for the sake of matching up with him.   But that doesn’t mean that it is right – especially when casual smart is asked when you go into a restaurant or fast food like Jungle Jims or Boston Pizza & Pizza Hut.

But when we were invited for wine tasting a few months ago in Halifax by a well known food enthusiast – I made sure that PB dress up appropriately – not jacket and long sleeves but casual smart as expected.   He had some titanium accessories that he never used – and we decided he would use it this trip – to make him look more appropriate.  As for myself – I put on my nice suede jacket and my new fall boots and jeans for the wine tasting and for the wine tasting – i put on make up as well – not just lipsticks!

I don’t know how others dress for dinner or an event – but I think dress codes are given because you have to respect the restaurant the the people you are having dinner or drinks with.   Some people might not look dressing up – but some accessories can definitely make one’s look more formal than you think.  I love titanium accessories for man and I’m glad PB had some – so that whenever we need to attend something special – all I need for him to do – is put on his jeans – a simple long sleeve shirt – no ties – but definitely his titanium cufflink – now that’s the perfect casual smart for man.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  this year we are thankful for a lot of things!   I’m sure you are too – and here’s Chloe having a rainbow cupcake from Goodies – I think she was fascinated with the color of the frosting – that’s why she wanted to buy it so bad – hahah!

But yes, we are thankful for Chloe’s good health – and that she is a happy kid, that her dad loves here and would do just about anything for her.  She is loved by many people including all our customers.  And she has good teachers for the last 2 years – we are really thankful for that – because they make her feel special and confident.

We are thankful that the store/business is doing well – and that we are getting a lot of good customers at the store and for me  a lot of good private advertisers and a long standing one – that I can count on.  Thankful for family, friends and loved ones – because they enriched my life and make me a better person.   Thankful for a spouse who never complains about me – and is long suffering towards my craziness.

Thankful for all my friends from here – you know who you are – who brings me food from Halifax and thankful for those of you who sends me food from home – you too know who you are.   Here’s wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving day this weekend – and may we all be thankful and gracious about the things we have and not the things we do not have.

We all love our spouse – but how many of you out there who have spouse who cannot remember those special dates and anniversary?  Mine almost forgot my birthday one year – till his mother called to wish me “Happy birthday!”  – outta be shot right?  but seriously, won’t you be kinda disappointed?  in fact, in many years to come – when you disagree on something – all these forgotten anniversary and special dates are going to come out and blown outta proportion – so men ! out there !!   listen up – there is such thing as overnight anniversary gift option and if you had really forgotten – mannnn!! you better use this option – because spending a little money is going to save you lots of  nagging in the years to come.  Trust me – I’m one of those who loved nagging and remembering those days – hahaha!   And yes – it’s the thoughts that counts – you don’t need to buy the spouse a diamond ring – some cupcakes or chocolates and flowers would be sufficient – surely, that special woman in your life deserved at least a box of chocolates or cupcakes or flowers if not all 3?  if the answer is yes!  well – you know what to do – but if you think you love the nagging – then go ahead and not send anything but if you do – I bet you will be getting a lovely surprised when you get home.

I love weddings – but this one holds a special place in my heart – because I was just but a young girl when his mother – Diana married Prince Charles.  Oh my !  time flies!!   I’m sure you are with me – in wishing happiness forever for both Kate and Prince William.

hehehe ! did I get you !!

Friends, Family, Fans and all those who visits my blog on a daily basis  - I have good news to share with you all.  A few months ago, I was approached by For The Love Of Good Food with regards to this blog.  As you all know, this blog enjoys many visitors from all over the world.  On a daily basis – about 100, 000 people visit this blog and the pages viewed are about 5 times as much as the visitors.  So the good people at For The Love Of Good Food – approached me – to buy over this blog – to be its affiliate.  Therefore, I will only be writing for For The Love Of Good Food from now on but in the months to come – you will be seeing some changes of course – and there will only be food to recommend the food from Dubai.   I will be flying to Dubai soon – expenses all paid and flying first class too.   I hope you are happy for me – therefore, I have to say that all cooking shows posted here – will be at a halt.  I know that you all will be wondering how much – the buy over is – lets just say – enough to pay for Chloe’s college in the future.  As for now – I am taking a short break – till i arrive in Dubai next week.  Please come visit my new blog, new design (they hired a web designer to work with me) and all new and a new team for this blog.  Thank you for your support – I hope you continue to visit this blog and all about Dubai’s cuisine.

mama bok

So we went to the Multi-Cultural Festival last week at the Rodd Grand Hotel – with some of my girlfriends here and their awesome kids and we had a great time.  Of course, we had our dinner first at the New Century Restaurant and we took Adele’s car to the Rodd Grand Hotel as Lynette needed to pick her friend up for the event.  We were greeted at the door by the exchange/foreign students who made an effort to show us their home town and country.  Some who lived in the city and others in the country side where their parents own their own farm and worked with heavy machinery – one even showed me how he changed the  hydraulic hose in his father’s tractor. Very interesting kid – I’ll have to say.

We also had exchange/foreign students from Germany and again – her parents owns a brewery – and she too helped out during the holidays before coming to Canada.   Talking with these foreign student makes me think of the time when I was in Glasgow during my university years.  I also invited them to visit Chloe’s grampie’s farm where they can see him do some farming and using heavy machinery like the tractor in his farm.  Chloe told the kids – that they can help her grampie change his hydraulic machine if they want to – hahahah!! so cute!

And of course, we have these loving students from Italy – who introduced us to the mask making of Italy and the annual carnival of Vernice.   They had usable end fittings for the mask – and I reminded them of the float that was in the carnival.  One float had this pumping bubble machine on it – that pumped out bubbles while it goes by the road.  The children during the carnival had a blast.  The exchange students were surprised to hear that I knew so much about their carnival.

The turn out for the multi-cultural festival was pretty good I must say and everyone was very engrossed in the presentation and the games that followed as you can see in this picture.

Here’s chloe working on her mask with the exchange students.

Chloe working on her mask some more.

The very sweet/pretty exchange student from Italy.

The students from Brazil  – very friendly and very pleasant.

On Valentine’s Day morning – we received a mail addressed to Chloe – came a long way from Singapore – I knew Chloe would be excited about it when she got back from school.  Chloe loves receiving mail for her in the mailbox – she always complained that only PB and I get mails – hahahha!! silly gal !  in which PB replied that she could have all his mails and pay the bills as well – for most of the mails addressed to PB are bills.

The Ang Pow came from Singapore – from Chloe’s Kai Mah (godma) Lina.  She always send Chloe an ang pow every year – so thoughtful.

New money ! chloe said! hahah!

Thank you Lina ! we appreciate your thoughtfulness and your love for Chloe.  We haven’t posted the Christmas presents from you yet – because I’m using a new laptop from Christmas and not used to the program – because I can’t get paint shop pro to load onto the new laptop.  As you can see the fonts are different in this new program – because it’s different and I so not used to it.  But I will post up the presents pictures really soon.

Another gift came thru’ the mail for Chloe on after Christmas  - and this one all the way from Switzerland.  My blogging friend from Switzerland sent this for Chloe – so sweet of her.  Did we tell you how blessed we are?  I told everyone to please not send gift to Chloe and I because postage very expensive – but still they sent stuff for Chloe.  How sweet are they  - you tell me?  how can I repay all these good people?

And it was even gift wrapped.  Chloe was very excited to see Christmas wrapper!

Whoohoo!! clothings!!

It’s a warm 3 piece ensemble of a track pants and t-shirt and a jacket.  Thank you so much – Jaslyn!  You all are too nice to Chloe and I – we are forever grateful lah!

This blog has brought me many online friends and I’m really grateful for everyone’s friendship – this Christmas I had asked everyone not to send any presents to me and Chloe because we just lost a family member – and we wanted a really quiet Christmas.  But everyone is so kind – and on Christmas eve – we received an expedited parcel from New York City from my dear friend – from a long time ago – Michelle was my University friend from UK and we graduated the same year in Glasgow but we’ve kept in contact and she recently moved to New York City nearer to where I am.  I’m grateful for Michelle’s friendship but there was really no need to send me any gifts.

So what was in the box?

Michelle remembered that I loved the Body Shop stuff – we used to head over to London on the weekends – and shop there and one of the shops that I must go to – was the Body shop.

Yes! the Body Shop had been around for a long time.  And look at all the goodies in the box – from soup to lotion and shampoo for me and Chloe, not forgetting some creamy soap for PB’s dry skin.  So thoughtful of Michelle.  Thank you so much Mitch!  Lets hook up really soon.  I wished the ferry was still working – that way we don’t have to fly to New York – we can drive.

So we all eat out every now and then – it can be a fast food restaurant – it can be a japanese one – my favorite or it can also be a nice cafe down the street.  Some we frequent more and some less – but what about the people who gets our food ready?   do you tip them?  how do you tip them?  10%?  or according to the service you received?  pray tell.

What about me?  I used to tip according to the service – when I was in Asia and traveling with the company I worked for – after all, the tips were paid by the company as well – since we claimed entertainment.  Plus it is not unusual to tip more to your favorite sommelier – who knows exactly what wine you like or reserved a particular wine just for your party that you were entertaining.

But coming to Canada – the spouse aka PB pays for all meals – so he does the tipping as well.  Normally, we tip no less than $5 – but we usually tip 15% of the bill.  But what is the right tipping etiquette you asked?  is there one?  and what about the waiter or waitress who served you for 2 hrs – especially if you have a table of 8 – 10?

I spoke to some professionals in the service industry – and they feel that if not by the service you received than at least 15% of your bill.  So remember – if you eat anywheres – please tip your waiter or waitress – because it definitely shows that you appreciate their time and service.  But if you tip differently – please also let me know.

More gifts –  so stay tuned – if you wanna find out whats inside and who sent them.

Eating healthy and staying healthy is my new year’s resolution 2011 – of course – don’t forget to get your Blue Cross Blue Shield NC renewed on time – if you have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol  like me.  Many people are mistaken about health Canada – they think that medicine is free – and it’s not true.  Seeing the doctor is covered and so is staying in the hospital – but once you are out and need long term medication like myself – you are on your own.  So don’t make the same mistake I did – when I migrated here – I didn’t take up an insurance like Blue Cross – but you see – luckily PB is covered – so I am safe – else I would be in huge trouble – my medication is a lot of money.  So yes! my resolution is pretty simple eat healthy, stay healthy – I want to watch Chloe grow up and get married and have kids.

While the rest of the whole must be having turkey for Christmas – I started Christmas with Fish Cake and Tau Pok Laksa – muahahahhaha!!!  Give me Tau Pok and fish cake laksa anytime !!  the turkey and lobster can wait.  A few years ago – we had lobsters for Christmas – I guess that year must be a very good year for PB’s parents – so they bought lobsters for Christmas.  But I had some of the above for Christmas eve – followed by deer meat – and then a turkey for dinner.  What about you?  what did you have for Christmas?  I bet a lot of you must be feasting on sweets and candies like us.  I had all sorts of sweets on Christmas day – I bet my doctor won’t be too, too happy muahahhaha!!

A week before Chloe’s birthday – a present came on the way from Malaysia.  Dear Auntie Barb – so kind and so thoughtful – sent out a birthday gift for her.

It’s a V-neck sweater like t-shirt – great for summer – but lots of static – muahahahha!!

Chloe was so excited with her birthday gift – she had to try it on – to take pictures for Auntie Barb – Chloe said.  Thank you so much Barb!  it was very thoughtful of you.

Every year we are truly blessed by family and friends from overseas – and especially this time of the year – with Chloe’s birthday and Christmas in a few days.  And although I had asked for no gifts this year to be sent our way – because we are having a really quiet family Christmas – we have some really kind and generous friends and family – who’ve sent gifts from the other side of the world for Chloe and I.  This one is from Jenny from Australia – we haven’t opened it yet – because we are waiting for Christmas to come and Chloe is such an awesome kid – she didn’t even fuss when we told her that it was a Christmas present – to be opened on Christmas day.  Thank you so much Jenny!  we truly appreciate your kindness.

Nope, I’m no food diva and am no food expert – but I love food and I love taking pictures of food and love sharing what I eat with my friends and family from back home in Asia.  The reason why I started this food blog is to show those from Asia who have migrated to another country – mostly the west or Europe  - how they can improvise with the little ingredients they have – and make food from home.  You see we have cravings for laksa, mee siam and curry chicken!  Or sambal or chee cheong fun.

Food from home

So what makes me different? What defines me?   And can I be a the next food blog star?  I believe so – because I’ve made friends thru’ this blog from all over the world! What makes my blog special ?  Friendship and those who love food, those who empathize with me – being so far away from home and missing what they’re used to.  This food blog has brought me so many good friends even though I haven’t met many of them in person  - I’ve been touched by so many good/kind  people out there – showing me that there are people who are kind and can give unconditionally.   My food blog brings people together from all walks of life and I’m sure someone said that food brings people together – food is special.    My blog helps people connect – we have a passion for food and a passion for a good movies and most importantly a passion for all things good.    What defines me and my blog?  I love food and I love sharing the food I eat with everyone.  Good food and good friends come together easily.  So come vote for my blog and vote for me to be the next food blog star.

Gifts from fellow blogger!

Love sharing food finds – that is low in calories and sugar for diabetics like myself.

Love eating out! and tell you the way it is.

Love trying any kind of food! from monkey brains  to fried scorpions, raw fish – nothing to it!  - yes! i’m very adventurous when it comes to food.

Voting only starts on the 20 September – please vote by clicking on my official contestant page located on my side bar.