The Kids Spring Piano Recital - Sunday May 31st

For the past few months my children have been practising hard for their piano recital. Each of them will have to play 2 songs during the show. The event was held at Cremonia Studio, Ogikubo somewhere further up from Shinjuku which is about 13kms from where we are. This would be their 2nd Piano Recital as last year they did take part in the Summer Piano Recital. Out of the 3, Princess was the most confident one as she played without her scores and did very well. As for baby, she has always been very shy but she's equally good. Haiyoyoyoyo my sunny boy, he is the most nervous one, his hands were so cold and were all sweating while performing. Nevertheless, well done children and mummy & daddy are so proud of you guys. Its not cheap for you all to be in there but I do hope it will boost up your confidence level in facing the world later.





We got home at 6.00 pm and poor kids they were all so hungry. We had early lunch as we have to be at the studio by 1.00 pm. Quick fix...pizza delivery man came to the house. Phew...alhamdulillah selamat mak dia but I just dont feel like having pizza and furthermore my other half feels like having some noodles, siap boleh cakap lagi tu macam yang kita makan kat kedai somewhere kat Kajang gitu.....aduh mak....hmmmm.

We had mee bandung tonite and thanks to Alida for giving me the mee bandung paste. Tak payah pergi Muar..kat Tokyo pun dapat makan mee bandung Muar tau....hehehehe thanks da. Lain kali belikan lagi eh.

lapar giler tau masa ni coz lunch tadi i tak sempat makan.....
my other half actually finish up the whole bowl....tapi jangan tertipu dalam gambar bowl tu nampak besar tapi kecik je....hehehehehehe memang portion untuk satu orang pun.

Perwakilan Luncheon cum Datin Liza's Farewell

Yesterday afternoon, Perwakilan Tokyo organised a luncheon at Manhattan Lounge, ANA Intercontinental Hotel for the ladies. The luncheon was in appreciation for the member's dedication and support given to all Perwakilan activities. Since Datin is leaving soon it was also a surprise Farewell for her. We had a nice time. I helped arranged with the venue and food and was happy to note that all the ladies enjoyed the food served. Alhamdulillah and to Pam thanks for assisting me. Definitely I will have more parties at your place.





My other half came to pick me up from the hotel and we took sunny boy for his hair cut at Factory Cut in Ebisu. This salon offers a quick cut for Yen1000. Later went to see mak buncit to pick up my cake mix at Azabu Juban. Beb...tuhan je balas budi kau tu for bringing back my flour. Amin.

We had tosei for dinner...3 types of tosei... plain tosei for princess and baby, egg tosei for sunny boy and masala tosei for my other half. I was exhausted somehow, ye la dari pagi kan..dengan aikido pagi tadi, malam tadi tido lewat, pastu berpeleseran pulak dengan the ladies ateh canne.. and didnt bother to make any dhall or chutney so everyone had tosei with fish head curry and fried cabbage.

Later we went to watch Angels and Demons, tak kan nak bilang aku dah tak larat kan...pergi jugak la....skang dating ngan abang pulak.

queueing up to buy popcorn and coke
muka pun dah naik basi dah...hahahahaha ateh udah tengah malam

Aikido Parents Watching Day, Saturday May 30th

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido is an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy and the techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.

Finally, its the Parents Watching Day and that marks the end of the term. Yahoo.....the sign of holiday is slowly showing....hoorayyyyyyy. Class will resume again in Autumn as sunny boy doesnt take lesson during Summer. Aduh lega boleh lepak-lepak no on a Saturday morning.




Well done sunny boy. Congratulations!!

Sayonara Dato' and Datin

Friday May 29th.

It was still raining when we left home (it didnt stop since yesterday). I kept on asking sunny boy he's sure there'll be soccer eventhough its pouring, he said 100% yes as they will be playing at the gym if it rains. But my instinct is always right and true enough as the girls were having breakfast in the car, he rang asking me to pick him up from his school. Teacher no show.... wonder what happened?? Luckily both their school are very close by, so went to get him and we had a nice time enjoying the rain in the car. Pity the rest of the boys that were stucked in school.


From school, dropped by at a friend's place, she lend me her Kitchen Aid....hehehehe tq Tanggachi. Then, I went to the Embassy to get things that needed to be used for later's event. Traffic was horrendous...it took me 1 hour 10 minutes for a mere 5 km, usually its just 15-20 minutes drive. Obvious my timing went topsy-turvy...and got home almost noon. I thought I'm going to die standing coz time is running late...some kuih-kuih will have to come out from my kitchen for tonite's party. Alhamdulillah, with the help from my PA, we managed to do it.


Ta..da..left home at 5.15 pm with my goodies for Imperial Hotel. Told my other half that I will meet him at the hotel as he will join me from office. On the dot 6.30 pm, they announced the arrival of H E accompanied by his wife where's my partner...how come he's not here yet?? Anyway, he arrived 15 minutes later..ha tau malu pun sampai lambat.....

Back to H E, after 2 years and 9 months here, it is time to say goodbye. In total they have been in Japan for more than 7 years as this is their 2nd stint in Tokyo. A true diplomat for Malaysia, charming, sharp, warm and genuine both of them did an excellent job. Distinguish yet simple couple. I personally have learn a lot of things from Datin, a very simple and humble lady and doesnt mind parting with her knowledge and experiences. I'm sure to miss them. All the best to Dato and Datin in their next chapter of life.



We got home at 11.00 and feeling hungry. It was a buffet dinner yet there were not enough food. This is not the first time I'm experiencing food shortage in Imperial Hotel's buffet line. There were 2 other occassions too leaving me with hunger. I'm just wondering how does the hotel ration their food. Can you imagine you actually paid for your dinner and yet you dont have enough food to eat and I have to add this, service was poor too. The moment I realise that there's no more food coming out, I called my PA asking her to make some fried rice for us. Pity my other half only to eat so late and I just couldnt be bothered anymore.....lucky I had heavy lunch today. Dalam pada kelam kabut tu...boleh lagi lunch ngan kawan-kawan. N and S came and thanks for your tomyam and ikan goreng my fren. We had sambal udang, telur goreng kicap and sliced cucumber. Campur lauk kawan terus penuh meja akak...

Sekian, terimakasih.

Rainy Season is Back

In the beginning of summer usually most parts of Japan will encounter rainy days. Its Tsuyu in Japanese for rainy season. Basically it rains and rains and rains. Today in Kanto area it was forecasted only 20C high. Well, Tokyo register their rainy season in June but before May ends...it started already. It has been raining since last nite and havent stop since. But that doesnt refrain me to be home all day.

After breakfast (hari ni makan mee goreng okay) at 10.00 am accompanied by my beloved umbrella and a friend (I bought this umbrella 12 years ago at Jusco, Taman Maluri ada sentimental value gitu), I went to DonqueiJote (I hope I got the spelling correct), a store near Roponggi. This 6 storey shop opens 24 hours and offers everything you need from household, toiletries, electrical items, supermarket, name brands, souvenirs and practically everything. My nephews wants a skateboard so went there to check it out. Allright found it but need to get more details of exactly what they wanted. It's a bit chilly today and lucky I've got my jacket on. Happy...hehehehehe got something for myself too. Once in a while nice to give myself a treat....hahahaha am I trying to justify??? Well..I deserved it....habis duit buat karipap.



From Donquei, I walked in to the 100 yen store nearby and managed to pick up few more things and my last stop was the drug store to get my other half's hair tonic but sorry they ran out of stock.

Got home at 1.00 pm...can you imagine how long we ronda-ronda....hmmm but its definite fun okay...browsing thru shelves freely without hubby and kids oh..its heaven..hehehehehehe. Managed to get few more things to bring back to KL for my beloved people there. Azlinza...tapi tak jumpa lagi la beg ponjot kau...nanti aku cari kat lain pulak.

After lunch and nothing better to do we decided to rearrange the furniture at the living room (need to burn some calories ma..) but forgot to snap a picture before, only after we finish arranging we took a picture after. With limited space that I have, no complaints I'm happy, its cozy to my innocent eyes. Thanks Che Wa.



Today, baby brought 2 of her friends home. Its her turn for a playdate and I only prepare fried rice, chips and chicken nuggets for them. What else...its easy and usually the kids will make no fuss to eat them. For 3 hours the house was filled with their laughter and their running inside out, I like.. the girls were so happy playing together. Had a nice time with their mummies too when they came to pick up their girls. Thanks M K and M U for the goodies you all brought.




Tonite's dinner, bake chumicurry fish with mashed avocado, grill white asparagus and leftover yesterday's corn soup.


Despite weather sulks, it had been a nice day with a lot of good news coming around from every corner. Well I'm happy for everyone. My other half came home so cheerful with good news too...it must have been the positive vibes going around. To my other half, WELL DONE and I'm so proud of you.

I'm turning in early as my day will start very early tomorrow. Sweet dreams and nite nite all.

Nyonya Bingka Ubi

Ingredients:

3 cups grated tapioca
1 1/2 cup caster sugar
a pinch of salt
2 cup coconut milk
2 eggs (beaten)
2 tablespoon condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
a bit of yellow colouring

Method:-

1. Put everything in a bowl and mix well. Add yellow colouring.
2. Grease mould with oil and bake in a preheated oven 380F for 1 hour 15 minutes.
3. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting.

Fried Chicken Ala Maryland

Ingredients:-

3 chicken thigh (de boned and skinned off)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
salt and white pepper to taste

For coating

1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper
oil for frying

Method:-

1. Clean and de boned chicken, remove all fat. Pat dry. Marinate chicken with lemon juice, honey, salt and white pepper for at least 1 hour or longer. Overnight marinating would give a better taste.
2. Mix the bread crumbs, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Put on a plate.
3. In a separate bowl, beat egg and mix with milk. Add salt and pepper. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture and coat with the bread crumb mixture.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken.
5. Serve with chili sauce or tomato sauce or you can dribble lemon sauce on the chicken.

Wednesday, May 27th

This morning, I was so happy for my sunny boy. When he asked permission from the father to go over to his friend's place, it was a flat no from daddy and when he cried, I cant help but to cry too. He is my son right and definitely I know how he is feeling inside....kesian anak mummy. He knows the father's ruling but it really mean something to him. Managed to get my other half to let him go for a sleep over at his friend's house next week. I know the ruling in this house..there's no such thing as sleep over but I guess that's why the word exception came. Perhaps if we are back home, it would be easier to observe the rule. His good friend and their family is leaving for Singapore next week and that boy's mother is organising a farewell sleep over at their house...kira last kopek la dapat jumpa and nak main-main, budak ni pun kaki bola macam abang jugak. I know how he feels and I'm sure he would want to spend some last moment with his buddy. He already lost 3 good buddies ever since we got here and my sunny boy is quite a sentimental boy...cam sape tu...hehehehehe but of course, daddy's word - this is the last time for sunny boy and he is not allowed to ever ask again. Period!!!

I was all smiley when I sent them off to the bus stop this morning and sunny boy was thanking me profusely that he get to go next week. Poor boy.

It was a beautiful day and decided to enjoy the warm morning and went for a short walk and after that came home and I bake Nyonya Bingka Ubi...still in the mood to make sweet kuih.


Furthermore, some ladies are coming over for lunch later....unplanned it was spur of the moment.

Thanks to M, P and S for coming..sad that Ms L couldnt join us....but anyhow loads of laughter for the afternoon. Thanks again to M for the cookies and snacks, S for bringing the Cumi-cumi squid, P for bringing the cheesecake. I really had a good time.


Too much laughter and probably ate too much for lunch I guess that makes me lost my memory today somehow ...is it a sign of Alzheimer??? but men, I'm only 25 ..hahahaha in the evening I went to a nearby supermarket to buy something. I wanted to get White Pepper and Bread Crumb but somehow when I get to the store...I only remembered White Pepper, got it and went home. Just before I entered the house I remembered that I actually need to get the Bread Crumb apalagi 180 degrees u-turn beb... Went to the shop again and got the bread crumb....hah lega, ni nak buat masak malam ni kang.

Dinner for tonite, Corn Soup, French Beans Saute in Olive Oil and how shall I named it...Fried Chicken Ala Arashiela Main Bedal...anyway comment from my PA, she said it taste good and similar to the one she had at TGIF....aduh kembang akak....okay will paste the recipe soon.



Well tonite, I'm going to finish off the book I'm reading..The Dreams of My Father by Obama....I find the book very interesting and perhaps next time I will write my own journey too...but who's gonna buy yeah??? hehehehehehe berangan tak habis aku ni...macam-macam nak buat. Okay people...till the next entry...nite...nite

Tuesday, May 26th

Today, I had my baby home, she got a day off as it was the High School Graduation for SIS. There's less than 2 weeks before school ends but still she got a day off. Makes me wonder at times??? Bayar sekolah mahal-mahal pastu cuti memanjang je... But of course, I always enjoy having her around... brightens up my day. As the school year is coming to an end very soon, my diary seems to be occupied everyday. Well...this is the busiest time for me....and today I organised the Mom's from Sunny boy's class to have a get together before the Summer Vacation.



From the lunch place we adjourned back to my house for tea as we still have some things to discuss about the year end party for sunny boy's class. Hmm we still got some money to spend for the boys....now got to crack my head to think of what to get for the boys...the budget is about 750 yen per person.

After the kids routine and quick dinner, I have to drive Princess to school as she got an invitation to attend the Graduation Party from 7.00pm - 9.30 pm...tak cukup mak berparty...anak pun kena party jugak....



I have to wait until she finishes so while she partied, baby and I went to Futako Tamagawa, there's Takashimaya there. Managed to buy a small gift for a friend's baby and of course sakit lagi mata ni....but we had a nice time going in and out of the name brand boutiques. From Chanel to Chaumet to Dior to Loewe to LV to Bvlgari to Fendi to Ferragamo to Celine to Georg Jensen to Gucci to Pucci mak atok nice feast for my eyes and didnt have enough time to go to the rest.




On the way to the car park, I saw this bicycle rank and have to take a picture. Everything has to be in order here and isnt that neat....

Got home in time as my other half was about to have dinner, chat a little and went to finish up my things for the school. Later we both had a nice time watching video clips on Youtube, one after another...it was really funny.



Dinner for the nite, Yakiniku bowl for the kids and beef steak, mushroom soup and steam brocolli for us.

Monday, May 25th

Felt so relief today as I managed to settle my PA's application for her visa extension. Phew...10.30 am I was already done at the Immigration Office.


On the way to the Immigration Office this morning I just cant resist to take a shot of this guy sweeping the road. Another dedication of the Japanese people. I'm sure he is one of the staff for a shop nearby, but you see, they not only clean up in front of their premise but the public area too. Wonder when will the Malaysians be like them.

From there I went to the Embassy to pass my adinda her kuih bingka (dah simpan dalam fridge her portion), since it is so close to Shibuya, I decided to go marketing gi beli ikan la (azlinza...aku gi pasar saman tu lah). Dapat ikan pari lagi hari ni...boleh masak asam pedas kebetulan daun kesum pun gemuk-gemuk kat dalam pot kat balkoni tu. Today my freezer is back to becoming aquarium again and I dont have to worry for the next one week.

Space is scarce in Tokyo so for this building amazing their parking is at the Roof Top. I felt claustrophobic initially but now kinda used to it.

The lift I have to take to the Roof Top.
Inside the lift

Got home almost noon and with no breakfast to go for the day, my stomach was crying for food.

My lunch for today, spicy fried bitter gourd with tofu and ikan masak taucu...hmmm kan ke senang kalu satu rumah ni makan macam mak dia....I guess they dont know what they are missing...ke tekak aku yang macam kampung...hahahahahahaha but I'm the only one in this house that eats super duper spicy...the rest are all gone case.



While waiting for the kids to come home, I managed to finish up half of the group photos for baby's class. That will be their year end gift before school ends, well this is part of Room Mom's responsibility if you become one. Taubat dah lepas ni akak retire. I'm still waiting for a package that havent arrive. It's the gift for the Pre-first Grader who will be graduating soon including my baby.

Dinner for tonite. Grilled salmon with thyme, spagheti carbonara (resipi anty ana) and celery soup. Alhamdulillah, no left over.

Sunday, May 24th

Today, everyone woke up early accept Boss. Budak-budak ni pun satu...tak tau ke hari ni hari Ahad...eh tetap jugak bangun pukul 6. I guess they are used to getting up early.


Ni dia muka-muka yang pepagi haban dah bangun tu. Hari ni breakfast nasi goreng dengan jemput-jemput sayur. Banyak pulak baby makan hari ni, selalunya dia lah yang paling sakit nak makan.

I thought of going to Bic Camera at Hibiya as I need to go and look for a camera, for siapa lagi kalau tak si patma tu....kang kalu tak cari tak boleh landing pulak kapalterbang tu kat KLIA. But too bad, weather sulks...hujan beb so I cancelled my plan. But somehow, I dont know what happened to me, I guess my body is telling me to let her rest, masuk dreamworld from noon sampai ke petang. It has been a long time since I last did this. Pity my other half, he didnt eat lunch today. Woke up in the evening and princess was bugging me for Mountain Pasta....macam-macam kan depa ni....dah nak mountain pasta pulak...mak makan style kampung, bapak makan style india...anak-anak gamaknya atok nenek dorang ongputih kot.....hahahahahahaha. Anyway, I have been sleeping all day and I need to go for a walk. Took the girls out and stopped by at Meidiya to get Swiss Cheese for her pasta.


One thing here....name it you get it. Array of cheese (ni baru satu section je tau)

Finally for dinner, the kids got their mountain pasta and daddy ate what's cooked for lunch, rice with fish curry, sambal telur and terung goreng berlada.