Braun the Great Conqueror

Here was what Grimlock saw this morning:

(Grimlock took this photo with his mobile phone)

Braun on the top tier of the cat tree!  Skoda has kept to the first tier and Mikki doesn't even get close to the tree.  It was a pleasant surprise to discover this adventurous side of Braun.  And so, I'm very proud of her - applause applause!!!

One-Eye Jack

I'm on medical leave today because I've an infection in my right eye.  It started to itch yesterday night and this morning, it became swollen.  The doctor was 45minutes late and I waited another 1.5hours for my turn.   

It was very sunny earlier today, and then it started to pour at about 4pm at this part of the island, and thunders could be heard.  I checked my work emails, did the laundry, watched a movie DVD we bought a long time back (lousy show), snooped on my girls (their ever enthusiastic photographer) and now I get to update my blog (while I wait for Grimlock to come home with our dinner).  The girls had wet food for their dinner.  After applying the ointment prescribed by the doctor, the swelling has subsided slightly.

Braun did her favourite thing to me, ie pester me for treats. Here, she was dispensing her deadly stares...

I refused to yield, and Braun persisted in her deadly stares - yet from a distance...

And when that too failed to work, Braun went on to join Skoda in the study for some siesta time...

For a cat, we think Mikki sleeps very little.  She has been keeping herself busy by following me around the house.  This girl still is My Puppy.  I've lost count of the number of times I had to escort her to the kibbles bowl (and I gotta stroke her before she would eat).

And when the heavy rain came, Braun went straight for her favourite corner,

while Mikki lost no time in taking cover under the sofa.

And Skoda remained unfazed but she was attention-seeking though (it was her turn to stalk me).

Soup Therapy

Many of us grew up with homemade Chinese soups at our dinner table. We recently bought a thermal pot (Gourmet Cook brand, 5-litre) to continue enjoying such soups, the health benefits/nourishment and comfort - minus the hassle of having to watch over the fire and having to keep a look-out for the girls (we've an open kitchen). This cooking method allows for a full release of flavour by slowly cooking the ingredients while still ensuring the meats and vegetables retain their shape and texture. Due to a shorter actual heating time, less gas is used as well. And it can be quite a chore having to think of what to have for dinner on weekdays (kinda end up eating almost the same stuff), so taking soup as a main meal is a much welcomed alternative and also for weight management (a reduced intake of the last meal of the day).

We have commenced on taking Chinese soups for dinner on 2-3 weekdays. These are pre-cooked by Grimlock during the weekends using the thermal pot. He stores them away in small pots in the fridge and we heat up the soup when we want to have it. It may really be healthier because we would scrap off the hardened oil molecules before heating up the soup.

Grimlock scouts the Internet for the recipes and from his mom. He does the planning, marketing and preparations :) .

Whelk (the white slices on the left) with mushrooms, dried scallops and chicken thigh:

ABC soup with macroni:

A1 Bak kut teh (pork ribs soup) - Grimlock followed an Internet recipe and added mushrooms:

One of my all-time favourites, watercress with pork ribs soup:

Watch this space - I shall upload photos of other Chinese soups whipped up by Grimlock.

Offshore Fishing

Back in February, Grimlock and I got on our maiden offshore fishing trip with one of his friends (together with the wife and their friends).  Each person chipped in $80 for the vessel rental;  total of 6 pax.  The expedition stretched from about 8.30am to 6.30pm.

The embarkation point was somewhere in the west of Singapore.  We set off in one of these vessels.

First stop was to a kelong to buy the bait, ie fresh prawns.  This was also the first time we step foot onto a kelong.

Taking in the view around the kelong...

Done with the 'shopping' and off we go...

Sun and tranquility all abound...

Grimlock's catch (none for me)...

The all-in haul...

I had my cap and shades on.  The sun was very hot, so my face turned a lobster-red at the end of the trip.  The area around my eyes (within the shades) was my original skin tone.  And I didn't put enough sunblock on my face.  I donned this comical, two-tone look for a few days.  Fortunately, my tan didn't last :)  Recently i bought a special fishing hat; it resembles a 女侠 hat，就等派上用场！(I'm just waiting to put it to use).

Easter Joy

This free greeting made with Smilebox