Darrien went to the stage again for his Chinese poem declamation competition.

A week earlier, he insisted he could not memories the lyric. He said he gave up. He said he was anxious about going for the competition despite being in a group. Wife insisted he should give himself a chance. I could still hear his brother said at the background "Don't give up easily" Echoing what Wife said every nights. After encouraging Darrien for many days, my boy was surprised one day that he could memorise the whole script easily. While smiling silly to himself.

And what his Daddy is doing all this while? Sitting behind a silly screen, looking at the silly current political scene in the country.

Day 21 at home. I cooked bah kut teh with pork ribs, three layered pork, lean pork and processed meat balls. Buying and preparing the ingredients are not easy chores to be done. Even for a seasoned stay-at-home dad. Like errr... me.

After boiling the water, I proceeded to put the ingredients except for the greens.

As I am writing, I realized that there are no more photos to be posted. Yeah. My mind cannot juggle too many things at a time. Working slow paced and being forgetful had been plaguing me for a long time. One cannot underestimate the capabilities of housewives. Their comitments and passion are very much admired.

Have a blessed week ahead.

Voting in Sibu 2018

It was a dramatic week! At first, I was quite reluctant to go on a 8-hour journey back to Sibu to vote. Wife encouraged me to go as every single vote mattered a lot, especially in this General Election 14.

I arrived at 5 a.m. Pa went to fetch me at the bus terminal and we had Sibu kampua mee. After taking a quick shower, I drove myself to the polling station. With mere two hours to spare, I went to Leong Leong Cafe for a wu wei thang drink. When I was small, we always dropped by to buy a packet of the RM5 drink to be shared among our family members. I wasn't too fond of it but it was nostalgic.

Grabbing some kompia, I went home to get my bag pack. By 11 a.m., I was snoring in the bus for another 9-hour journey back to Miri.

Leaving with bad memories of inconsiderate drivers in SIbu

Piasau Boat Club Family Day

I had not been to this place for many years. The last time I came, I was attending a beach wedding.

The private Club held its Family Day over the weekend.

The boys were having such great times that we went to the place. Twice. In a day.

The boys went kayaking in the afternoon. Being the only two on the sea water. I wasn't too worried as the water level is hardly to my waist line only.

Jacob seemed quite perky with the kayaking ativity.

Day 2 & Day 3 of a SAHD's life

It was my second day at work and I cut myself while washing the knife.

Lesson learnt - not to hurry oneself when handling knives. Consequence is unbearable.

On second day, I cooked Japanese curry. It was a simple dish but the paste was very easy to use. I cut some carrot, Onion, potatoes and small chunks of chicken. I cooked some onions in the skillet, put in the Japanese paste and the rest of the ingredients and waited for fifteen minutes to simmer. The dish was ready to be eaten.

I licked my portion of the dish.

One meat, one vegetable and one soup, as requested by Wife.

On Day 3, on top of daily order, I cooked Pear Tong Sui witth white fungus and Chinese dates.

Surprisingly, the boys cleaned their portions of midin and requested for the vegetable to be served again next week.

My captious Darrien is always critical of our cooked meals. It was a great joy seeing him eating the four mini beef burgers on Day 3's lunch time. I hope I can help him to gain more weight.

I am a stay-at-home dad again

Today marks my first day at work as a stay-at-home dad. Almost everybody could not believe their ears when I said I am going to take care of the family full time. I took care of all family matters when Wife continued her studies eight years ago. I am hoping I can do better this time though caring for three little children is no small feat!

Preparing meals are the most important part of the day. Buying chicken in the fresh market and in the supermarket are two different things. The ones in the market are being sold for Rm16 per kg. Firm, healthy-yellowish coloured. Or mass-produced ones selling for Rm10.90 per kg. I cooked the chicken Hakka style with black fungus and Shittake mushrooms. I found the more expensive among the twos tougher and not much to my likings. On the other hand, Wife was asking why Chinese wine was not added to the dish to bring up the taste. She, however, did not like those cheaper, soft texture chicken meat. For some fibres, I cooked ladies' fingers with anchovies.

A closer look at the dishes

Cooking up dinner took me at least four hours including looking for the best produce in market and supermarket, preparing the ingredients and cooking time.

Not bad for the first day, huh?