little chinese delights

We went out for a dim sum outing at Chynna, KL Hilton. This restaurant serves Cantonese-Shanghainese fusions. That was made known when a funny looking spout (a very long spout, mind you) from a teapot handled by a waiter was tilting towards our Chinese porcelain cups. And that’s how Shanghainese teas are served!

Malaysia being a Muslim country, it’s normally pork-free in Chinese restaurants in the major hotel chains. I must say that the dim-sum served was good, well, really good for a pork-free menu.

The details on the palates were impressive (sorry didn’t manage to capture some of these creative gastronomic presentations because we were so hungry. Now that we have to sort Ethan out before leaving the house, its takes us about a good 1 hour from the time when we adults get ready. He needs to be fed, cleaned if he poos, we need to pack his bag making sure his stuffs are brought along, stroller and finally strapped down to his car seat) but they also actually taste good!

Ethan was really amused with the open dim sum kitchen and bar. Who could miss the huge red lanterns draping down from the ceiling, making the restaurant look as if it’s like a mini lantern parade. Well, by the way, if you don’t know, this little boy of ours is full of curiosity, inquisitiveness, and is nicked names Mr. Nosy!

For durian lovers, this restaurant is the only restaurant in town that offers piping hot durian- custard mini buns. They were splendid!

To end, the all time favourite chilled mango pudding with ice cream.

Well, its not just the mini buns which were good, the restaurant serves other seafood dim sums which introduces perfect combinations of various tastes. Bravos to chef for putting smiles and blissfulness in his dining hall. No wonder he was awarded the “CHEF CONGENIALITY AWARD” for the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival 2008!

Mummy and Ethan after a scrumptious lunch

writing again...

Before Ethan came into our lives, I was busy looking for one of those “my baby journal” books to pen Ethan’s developments as a reassurance for that I am actually growing with him, despite being a working mommy, which I did.

Some of the contents in the book: my first day at home, my first Christmas, when I first slept in my room, my first smile and the list of my firsts…

As I look back at these writings, it has taken on new meaning as I have gone through the stages of motherhood within these 4 months. When I feel like I have been too busy at work or too unaware of Ethan’s small changes I pull out this journal and read just one or two of the tiny details of my life with him. Immediately the richness of my motherhood experience unfolds for me and buoys me up.

However, I realized that they were more things which happened and I would like to remember. Ie: sleeping patterns, children’s parties Ive attended, shopping sessions with grandma, outings, other curiosities that took place.

And hence, I'm writing again.

And I hope that this will eventually be a trail to follow, to try to figure out how Ethan is unique in his own ways; his maladies, his fear, and his accomplishments in the years to come.

These intricate details hopefully would be able to take me back to my motherhood experience, where it all began, the struggles, pleasures and contentment. And hopefully over the years, they bring me the peace of mind that while leading a working-mommy life; busy, hectic, full life was full of motherhood's great rewards and pleasures.

waiting

We have been shopping heaps for little Ethan and Daddy is sure getting all excited about Lil E's arrival.

Daddy couldn't help but to snap some pictures of lil E's outfits.

lil E's patch booties, daddy's jordans

can't wait for a ball game with lil E

" I wanna grow up to be just like daddy"

Santa Claus!

Right now, I’m sitting next to Adrian. He is focused wanting to finish up his work for the night, while me, just stepped out from the shower thinking about something really strange.

Santa Claus.
Who is Santa Claus.

I was actually thinking to myself, who is Santa Claus. Believe it or not, having gone through quite a NUMBER of Christmases and growing up always wanting be know where santa came from, I just can’t believe at this point in my life, I still don’t know who is Santa Claus.

Without much thought, I dived into the internet and googgled Santa Claus. Typically, the 1st result that appeared came from wikipedia.

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a fictional folklore figure who, in Western cultures, is presented as bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or on his feast day, December 6.

The popular North American form Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas, which in turn is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas). However, the Dutch Sinterklaas is depicted as being very different from Santa Claus in many ways.

Also, I found out that the outfit Santa Claus wears comes in many colors depending on which country. The most common depiction (red with white cuffs, collar, and black leather belt) became the more popular image in the United States in the 19th century due to the significant influence of Thomas Nast.

Thomas Nast's depiction of Santa Claus

Thomas Nast was a famous German-American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist in the 19th century and is considered to be the father of American political cartooning. He drew A classic version of Santa Claus1863 for Harper's Weekly. Before then, most depictions of Santa Claus showed a tall, thin man. Nast drew him as the bearded, plump man known today.

In the mid-20th Century, and artist Haddon Sundblom came up with a series of Coca-Cola advertisements featuring a Santa Claus which was round and jovial, closely depicted by Thomas Nast.

Haddon Sundblom's depiction of Santa Claus is the Coca Cola Advertisements

Many legends and miracles are attributed to Santa Claus:

• When he was an infant, his mother only nursed him on Wednesdays and Fridays; he fasted the remaining days.
• He halted a storm at sea in order to save three drowning sailors.
• During his lifetime, he adored children and often threw gifts anonymously into the windows of their homes.
• His father left him a fortune which he used to help poor children.
• He grabbed the sword of an executioner to save the life of a political prisoner.
• He brought back to life several children who had been killed.

Present day, you can find quite a number of legends, related to Santa.

• Throughout many countries in Europe, St. Nicholas/Santa distributes gifts to the children on DEC-5, the eve of his feast day. In some countries, the gifts come at another time during Advent or on Christmas eve.
• In Germany, Weinachtsmann (Christmas man) is a helper of the Christkind (Christ Child)
• In France, Père Noël distributes the gifts.
• In Russia, under the influence of communism, St. Nicolas evolved into the secular Father Frost. He distributes toys to children on New Year's Eve.
• In England, Father Christmas delivers the presents. He is shown with holly, ivy or mistletoe.
• In Scandinavian countries, the ancient Pagan Yule goat has transmuted into Joulupukki - similar to the American Santa.
• In North America, Santa Claus rules, thanks to a certain brand of soda.
• According to Roman Catholic church, his body is said to have not decomposed. In his shrine in Bari, Italy, it is believed by many pilgrims to exude a sweet smelling odor which cures medical disorders and illnesses.

Right now, I'm left with a retiring smile because at least part of my naive and innocent growing up year believing that there is a Santa is not at all a fairy tale. He is just Saint Nicholas!

THE POEM

I've read this poem a couple a times and never really thought it meant anything to me. Of late, I've been really caught up with work and sometimes forget totally about the meaning of existence and the creator of it.

I am truly humbled and often feel much more secure to know that He is close to me.
Now I'd like to share this poem with you and hopefully it'll speak to you soon.

---

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said "Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down... but never found the time"