Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

In My Hands Today…

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A River of Stars – Vanessa Hua

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Holed up with other moms-to-be in a secret maternity home in Los Angeles, Scarlett Chen is far from her native China, where she worked in a factory job and fell in love with the owner, Boss Yeung. Now she’s carrying his baby. Already married with three daughters, he’s overjoyed because the doctors confirmed he will finally have the son he has always wanted. To ensure that his son has every advantage, he has shipped Scarlett off to give birth on American soil. U.S. citizenship will open doors for their little prince.

As Scarlett awaits the baby’s arrival, she chokes down bitter medicinal stews and spars with her imperious housemates. The only one who fits in even less is Daisy, a spirited teenager and fellow unwed mother who is being kept apart from her American boyfriend.

Then a new sonogram of Scarlett’s baby reveals the unexpected. Panicked, she escapes by hijacking a van–only to discover that she has a stowaway: Daisy, who intends to track down the father of her child. They flee to San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown, where Scarlett will join countless immigrants desperately trying to seize their piece of the American dream. What Scarlett doesn’t know is that her baby’s father is not far behind her.

2019 Week 41 Update

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We are another week closer to the O level exam. I am sure you are completely fed up with me going on and on about this exam, but that’s the big source of stress in our home these days. In exactly two weeks from today, the children will sit for their first O level written exam which is E Maths Paper 1.

GG is super stressed and I can see it clearly so I am on her case to take breaks while for BB it is the exact opposite. Everytime I go to his room, he is ‘taking a break!’

GG had her science practicals last week, which, according to her was not her best work, while BB has his this week, today is Physics and Chemistry is later in the week.

As for me, last week was a quiet week where I hardly went out, but this week is going to be a busy week for me with meetings, workshops and a medical appointment scheduled.

I am also excited because October means that now I can say we go to India next month! So I have to also start planning for our stay in Mumbai as well as the south trip. This week and the next few will be quite busy for me.

Have a great week folks!

2019 Secondary 4 Week 41 Update

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After attending GG’s graduation ceremony last week, this week I attended BB’s graduation ceremony. Unfortunately S was unable to make it this time as he had some unmissable work commitments. Fortunately for me, I met a fellow parent whom I’ve known since BB started this school. Her son was is also from the same CCA as BB and who is the only other student who was offered a place in the same course that BB was offered a place in. So our children will be classmates in the future and it’s good that BB has a known face going into the new school.

BB’s graduation was very different from the one we saw in GG’s school last week. There were less speeches and all the sec 4 form made a short video which I thought was a nice gesture where they sort of danced and wished the class of 2019 all the best for their exams. They also sang the school song for the very last time (according to the emcees) and at the very end they got a special badge with the words “Class of 2019” and a graduation certificate. BB also got a badge at the begining of his journey in this school in secondary one and both badges were given by their form teachers, so this is something I really appreciate the school for.

We are down to around 2 weeks to go for the O levels and as I have mentioned before I am just counting down the days when the exams end as are the children.

Have a great Sunday!

In My Hands Today…

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Sisters of the Sword – Maya Snow & Helen Hart

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Kimi dreams of being a great samurai warrior, but she and her sister, Hana, are young ladies of feudal Japan, daughters of the “Jito” of the province. Her future seems clear: Girls do not become samurai.

Then, betrayal shatters the sisters’ world. Their power-hungry uncle murders their father, and their mother and little brother mysteriously disappear. Determined to seek revenge and restore their honour, they disguise themselves as boys to train at a school for samurai. Kimi and Hana are thrown headlong into a life of warrior codes, sharp swords, and shadowy figures–as they work with fierce determination to avenge the brutal wrongs done to their family.

In a flash, life has swept them into a terrible adventure, more heart-pounding than Kimi and Hana ever could have imagined . . . and once it has been set in motion, nothing will ever be the same.

Navratri Recipes: Green Peas Sundal

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Another day during Navratri and another sundal to offer the Goddess. The Sundal this time is made of fresh peas and is another super quick recipe. You could make this as a quick afternoon snack when the children are home from school and it is also very healthy to boot! This is a far cry from the commercial and suage and salt laden biscuits and sweets that are usually eaten.

Green Peas Sundal

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp urad dal
  • 1/8 tsp asafoetida powder
  • 4-5 curry leaves
  • 1 tsp green chilli paste
  • 2-3 tbsp grated coconut
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Lemon juice to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:

  • Soak the frozen green peas in hot water for 15 minutes and then cook them in a microwave or the stovetop till the peas are cooked, but still retain their green colour. Drain and keep aside.
  • Heat the oil in a pan and when the oil is warm, add the mustard seeds and let them pop.
  • Then add the urad dal and let it start to brown. Next add the asafoetida powder, curry leaves and green chilli paste and stir for a couple of seconds.
  • Now add the boiled and drained green peas and season with salt. Stir for a few minutes.
  • Then drizzle the lemon juice and add the coconut and stir well to mix into the peas.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve warm or cold as a salad or snack.