Our mean and vicious dogs

Ginger, a winnie, and Bear, a sheltie, could be as mean and nosiy, and the next moment as lovely dovely as ever. Each day I have my share of dog stories ... sometimes I wished I didn't have them but then, they could be ever so loveable and make me forget their misdoings.

At least they scare people away from trying to come near the house, getting ready to "eat" them up, but once they are inside, they will be climbing all over the guests. What a dual personality!!! Guess that is the way of being protective.

I love them and hate them. Guess I am stucked for life!!!!

Dare to dream and believe in yourself

Sukiyaki

A Mother's Story

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students & teachers to support the family.There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, 'EEEE, your mom only has one eye!'I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, ' If you're only goanna make me a laughing stock, why don't you just die?'My mom did not respond...I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger.I was oblivious to her feelings. I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard , got a chance to go abroad to study.

Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts, Then one day, my mother came to visit me.She hadn't seen me in years and she didn't even meet herGrandchildren.When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, 'How dare you come to my house and scare myChildren!' GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!' and to this, my mother quietly answered, 'Oh, I'm so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,' and she disappeared out of sight.

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

'My dearest son,I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to your house and scared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.You see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine. I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,Your mother.

Xong Xi Fa Cia - Happy Chinese New Year !!!

Today is Chinese New Year Day, the start of year of the Ox. The Chinese in Penang would take days to prepare for the celebration, making CNY cookies, shopping for new clothes, shoes, purses. I remember when I was a kid, those from affordable families, would have 15 new clothes, one for each day of celebration. The adults work hard and many people take 15 days off from work to celebrate with their family. It is all about eating, visiting family members and friends, some take the opportunity to gamble and try their new year luck; and the kids enjoy collecting red packets from their married family members. It is so much much for the old and the young. The best time of the year; a time for tourist to visit Penang and enjoy the fun. Hotels will be full, food prices normally go up and the market place will be closed during the first few days. So make sure you stock up your food for the next few days. Xong Xi Fa Cai - Have a Blessed New Year!!!

Indonesian Layered Cake

This is one of my favorite cakes. I used to make this cake and took them to the office for my colleagues. Taste really delicious. Made from grounded plain crackers, cocoa, sugar and butter. I literally poured a thin layer and steamed it until cooked; each time wiping the cover dry to prevent the water droplets collecting on the cake. Usually there are about 12 to 15 layers and it is cooked layer by layer; alternately one layer chocolate and one layer plain. Worth the effort as the cake tastes so gooood...

Penang Dim sum

You find eateries selling Dim Sum almost everywhere in Penang. Where there is food, there are crowds of people. Somehow men have very sensitive nostrils that can sense the aroma of food no matter how far away. Though Dim Sum is most popular for breakfast, there are coffee shops and restaurants selling Dim Sum for lunch and dinner. Most people never get tired of eating Dimsum as there are plenty of varieties to choose from. The Dim Sum that I enjoyed the most were the ones at the Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel, Penang. The Dim Sum are so authentic and taste similar to the ones you eat in Hong Kong.

When my husband visited me in Penang (before we were married), he was facinated by the food. Not only were there lots of choices, the costs were so cheap. A morning breakfast for 4 adults costed us less than US$10 at one of the restaurants along Gurney Drive. He never stops telling his friends in California what a food paradise, the island is. I yearn for Dim Sum and when we want to savor the food, we would drive down to Fresno's Imperial Garden for our Dim Sum meal. Penang Dim Sum is still better!!!