Mooncakes

 

Baked mini red bean mooncakes

I'm not going to bother going into details about the origin of the mooncake festival and all that - I'm just going to assume that most people looking for a mooncake recipe already know some of the background and everyone else can google it. But I will tell you that I absolutely love mooncakes, especially the ones from home. There's so much variety (regular, ping pei, jelly, etc) and so many awesome flavours (pandan, coffee, durian, mixed nuts, etc)! Yum! I haven't been able to get my hands on the stuff from home and I don't really like the taste of the ones in US so I got a book and some plastic moulds the last time I went back and tested them out last year during the festival. I have to say that they're actually really easy to make if done in stages or if you cheat like I did :) Broken down, a mooncake is basically the skin (including a basic sugar syrup) and the filling.

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Lost in Seattle

Seattle and the space needle

 

I spent a couple of days in Seattle last week and had some seriously good weather - sunshine all four days with a light drizzle on the last day. And here I thought I'd be going from rainy California to wet, wet, wet Seattle. People kept telling me that it was a freakish bout of good weather and that it usually wasn't all sunshine and clear skies. I refused to believe them :) I know I got really lucky with the weather especially since it continued to rain and flood in California with interspersed tornado warnings (tornadoes in California?!? what??). But seriously, I'm glad it didn't rain cos with all the tromping about that I had to do, I'd have been miserable and soaked ten times over. Yes, I actually had a valid reason for heading to Seattle.

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Mama Carries

It's more of a Malay Raya cookie but biskut mama karries is something I remember vividly from home. Strangely enough, most of the Malaysians here that I've plied with my mama carries have not heard of or had them before. I keep telling people about it but they never understand what I'm talking about. *pouts* It might just be that I like to describe them as mama carries (in my mind, a mama carries is a mama carries) but apparently, it's not much or a description nor is it very encouraging for people who haven't tried it before.

So, what is it? Well, one of my taste testers tells it as it is. 

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Loong yoke/Bak Kwa

Home made loong yoke waiting to be grilled. yum!

There are so many names that this super yummy snack goes by but I know it as loong yoke, bak kwa or that pork square. Really. This is similar to jerky but much, much better. It's asian jerky!! There's more flavour and it's nice and moist. Mmmm. They're so good in a sandwich or just alone.

I've heard many stories about the lengths people will go to get their paws on these little squares of porky goodness. I'll even admit to smuggling a couple of kgs worth back with me - an act that is helped along by the fact that they now come vacuum packed. But, they've gotten bloody expensive and after finding out how easy they are to make, I will now have smuggling space for other goodies :)

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So special.....sigh

Okay. i just figured out what was driving me crazy about the read me cuts and it is the stupidest thing ever. I can't believe I spent hours.....HOURS!!... on it. Bleh. I really am quite 'special'.

one thing I can't figure out is how to get a space between the date and the main body of the post. I'm not sure where or what code should be used in the html. meh.

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Success, hah! i spoke too soon.

Dangit!

I thought I had it all figured out but... urm... not so much. The whole cut thing is not working and I don't know why. It cuts like two sentences then leaves the rest. I'm not sure why it's being so spazzy but it's driving me nuts!!! Aaaahhh!

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success!!

I've been fiddling around with the html blahblah using some pretty awesome tutorials (which just reinforces the reasons why I'm not and never will be a computer science person) and even though I don't understand half of what they tell me to do, I've got a blog layout that is almost what I want. I say almost cos there are some things I don't like about it but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

So, verdict?

Success!! Yay.

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when did blogger change on me?

I don't know when or how it happened but I just realized that blogger is exceptionally hard to use when you want to go beyond the basic functions. I've started writing drafts for my recipe posts but I've hit a road block - the posts are too damn long and I am technologically challenged! Apparently blogger has changed without me noticing it. hmmmm. curious. A few years back, on another now defunct blog, posting pics and all that jazz was easy. Now, everything requires javascript, css and a whole load of crap I have no understanding off. It might have always been the case but I vaguely remember it being easier than this. This sucks.

It'll be slow going but I guess I'm going to have to teach myself how to change the bloody templates since I don't like the ones they offer, how to make cuts for long posts, etc. Sigh. Should have gone for a livejournal account. Dang.

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Oh free time, whatever shall I do with you?

I've been reading a lot of food/cooking blogs lately. Unfortunately, there have been consequences - they make me constantly hungry = I am inclined to cook more (especially desserts) = all of us put on weight = my sis takes me (read: bugs me until I foolishly agree) for a run. Also, I've been told that my constant cooking has almost doubled the gas bill (and probably the grocery bill as well). I think that's kinda unfair as it IS winter but since we don't actually use the gas heater all that much (2 times in total), I guess I am at fault. Being poor starving students, my cooking spree is going to have to take a break - apart from meals, my extra-curricular cooking is being limited to special occasions (next up, chinese new year!). Meh. At least my wallet will be allowed to recover. Anyway, I'm gonna put a series of whatever I've made up. I wish it could be super fancy like some of the blogs I frequent but honestly, that bit about being poor starving students is seriously limiting (as is my lack of ability when it comes to technology).

I'm sending out resumes (anyone looking to hire an archaeologist?? pleasethankyou) but in the meantime, I'll be posting about my European Adventures (long overdue) after the Cooking Escapades have been posted.

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What a way to start the new year

Well, it's two weeks into the new year and I can't say that it hasn't been interesting.

Despite the unexpected death of our grandpa just after Christmas, we managed to get to Van's in SF for New Year's since Wen was visiting and they wanted to go somewhere that was not suburbia. It was tons of fun with fun 'gay boy approved' music (I don't care what that weird straight boy said. Pop is the way to go :D), dancing, booze, hookah, the prerequisite shady Russian dudes and best of all, GREAT FRIENDS to share it all with. I've never actually partied with my sis so it was fun! The rest of the week was spent taking Wen around and running errands up.

Grandpa's funeral was last week on the 8th and was pretty quick and simple. A kind of mishmash where East meets West. My aunt came in from Texas and made us ferry her around to take care of all the details. We were honestly kinda peeved that she made us run around and all that since everything was pretty much take care of. Said she didn't want us to feel left out. Our response? We would have LOVED it if she just took over and we didn't have to keep going up to Marin. Didn't tell her that, of course (good little asian kids that we are). but our dad agreed with her (and she wouldn't take no for an answer)so, my sis and I dropped Merv off at work at 5am and drove up to Marin, spending a good part of it napping in the car before we had to meet them at 9am. Okay, enough with the ranting and onto the funeral.

It was a dank and slightly miserable day - equal parts fog and drizzle. We went to the funeral home first for our private family goodbyes then Merv (Charl and I volunteered his services since he wasn't able to be there for the family bonding moments we had with our aunt) lit the incense stick and asked grandpa's spirit to follow us to the cemetery.

Got everything set up for the viewing in the chapel and when all the usual suspects showed up (apparently I was the only one who didn't notice Uncle Ray's bling shoes), we got things started. My aunt went up and gave a little speech; mostly to thank people for coming and helping grandpa when he was alive. My dad was texting us his speech (he couldn't email/fax it for some reason)and I got a nasty look + reprimand from Jeannette since it looked like I was fooling around in the back. Seriously?!? I would have loved to smack her but settled on a nasty look back. Grrr. I had to appreciate the irony of the situation though. Jeannette giving me a lesson on decorum. Hah! Whatever. Anyway, I went up to make dad's speech and the phone rings. Oh dad. It was embarrassing and funny at the same time. I asked him if he wanted to be put on speaker phone but he said no so I read his speech out. I thought it was touching since it was more of an eulogy and was somewhat wistful. I added in my two cents on behalf of the grandkids then asked if anyone else wanted to speak. Uncle ray, unable to resist, went up to the podium and put in his two cents as well. It was kinda funny and at some point he lost me but at least he tried.

The procession then moved to the gravesite where those big red chinese candles and joss sticks were lit and hell money (including prints of a thousand usd) were burnt as the casket was lowered. Carnations were thrown in and that was that. Like I said, an interesting mix of East and West.

I guess the best thing that came out of a crappy thing like a funeral is that family comes together, no matter how much they dislike or are indifferent to each other. It's sad that grandpa passed away but we have managed to reconnect with the various family members.

It's mellowed the old people out a little bit to realize how entirely mortal they are. The grudges seem to have been pushed out of the way a little and I think we're back in the family loop now. Maybe. The crazy aunt doesn't seem so bad anymore, just a little lonely and I just realized how much my dad has changed in the last few years. We also went out for drinks with some of our distant cousins and got to know them better which is awesome.

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When my brother makes me want to kick a puppy or something.

Arrrgh. Okay. my brother is an idiot. How hard can it be to manage basic finances?!?!?! Seriously, he's 26 and isn't responsible enough to keep track of his finances or even keep his priorities straight. I don't understand ppl who think that whenever they have some extra cash, they should blow it on unnecessary and often expensive items. This seriously frustrates and stresses me out when I have to think about it. My sis and I have come to the conclusion that I will never be able to share a place with my brother without her or someone else playing interference since certain aspects of his personality drives me bonkers and will probably lead to fratricide or at least a lot of broken crockery since I will need something to chuck at him. I honestly think I will hit him with a rolled up newspaper (like i've seen people do with bad puppies) if he continues this way.

I really am quite fond of him but high school ended a loooooong time ago and he needs to realize that. He's 26 and should have grown up years ago. I truly hope he does because he can't rely on everyone else forever.

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And the madness starts.

I was up researching funerals till like 4.30 am before having to head up to Marin to take care of the funeral arrangements....well, to get them started at the least. I'm officially googled/researched out in terms of funeral prep.

What did I learn?

Well, there's a crap load of different caskets (btw, did you know Costco and Wal-mart sell caskets??), there are waaay too many components to planing a funeral and I'm probably going to get fleeced in the process (reality check, I officially know that we ARE getting fleeced!) since funerals.....are crazy expensive!!! WTF man. Expenses for American burials are astronomical compared to other countries. I really hope my dad's sibs don't back out on their part of the cost cos if they do, we're screwed. They want most of the works so it's close to $10 000!! OMG. WTF BBQ !?! I'm obviously in the wrong business.

Anyway, talked to the funeral director, the cemetery ppl and picked up grandpa's stuff from the nursing home. Now all I gotta do is confirm the arrangements, inform and coordinate with my dad and his sibs about the arrangements and costs, hopefully get the money transferred asap, get documents signed, close accounts, set a date, etc. Gah. I've got a really bad headache. Sigh.

highlight? sibling bonding time - my sibs and I went to watch Sherlock Holmes (which was pretty good) and had dinner up in Marin while we waited for rush hour to end.

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Oh crap. Talk about bad news.

I just got a phone call from a second cousin about my grandpa passing away :( This kinda sucks and makes me feel guilty since we haven't been up to Marin to see him in a while and I was just thinking of going up there and dropping in. crap.

Truthfully, I think I feel even worse that I'm not more broken up about it. Maybe I'm emotionally retarded or I'm just cold like that. I dunno. I suppose it's more the fact that we never really got to know him. Before coming to the states for uni, we only saw him once when I was 9. Although, out of all the grandkids I've probably had the most contact with him since we did share a house for a few months when I lived in Marin and I did make an effort to see him every few weeks when he got admitted into the nursing home. I think it's sad that he died alone and I feel very bad that it happened that way. No one, no matter how much people dislike them, should have to die alone. Uncle Ray probably knew since he's the attending physician but he probably thought we didn't care and couldn't be bothered to see him before he passed away. I feel he should have called us and allowed us to make that decision when Grandpa got admitted to the hospital and then later on, the hospice since hospice care is usually the time to call in family to see them for the last time. Whatever it is, grandpa has passed away and I'm going to make sure that things go right for him now. Sigh.

Since I'm the one who's been here longest, I'm automatically the person in charge; representing my dad since he won't be able to be here for the funeral. What the heck do I know about death and funerals?!? I've only ever been to one and we weren't related. I've been googling funerals, their costs, procedures and all that. I had to call my dad, mom and my dad's sibs, Uncle Raymond and Aunty Florence. Honestly, I dunno how much they care. My family is very dysfunctional. On both sides. How we got this lucky in the family lottery, I will never know but I can't help being wistful about the great relationships my friends have with their own families. My sis was just commenting on how ppl usually only have shitty relationships with one side of the family while the other is normal but somehow, we have crappy relations on both sides. It's part of why we're so determined not to let that happen to us. We'll see how this goes but I have a feeling it's going to be fairly trying to sort stuff out especially going in blind like this. I guess I'm just going to hope for the best and get all the advice that I can.

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The madness that is December

Hmm. It's been awhile but my comp wouldn't let me access my account, something about cookies and java and whatever. Who knows what it's trying to tell me, I don't. But I just got a new computer, (well, second hand from my sister's Singaporean boss but who cares because it costs me $350! and is barely a year old! and it has wireless internet access and did I mention $350?!?) so, updates galore!

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My neighbours.

Two posts? One after the other? What?

Yeah. I was going to sign off but my neighbours were acting up and I thought I'd talk about them since we have been living here for the past 5 months or so. The title brings back memories of elementary school. You know, when you had to write about dumb things - my pencil, my pet, my family, my blahblahblah. *wistful look* Those were the good ole days :)

Anyway, we don't really know our neighbours since they mostly stick to themselves BUT, there are two who really stick out. The first is our next door neighbour. They're an older couple, probably retired. I've seen the old man but never talked to him. His wife however, is that well-meaning, nosy old woman ever neighbourhood has. Flora's real nice but we secretly call her the crazy old cat lady. Two reasons. The first being that she came over and introduced herself like five times and didn't seem to remember that she had already done it the first few times. And secondly, she always calls out for her cats when it's time to feed them. Apparently, one is named Rocky and the other Lucky. Before we knew this, we wondered why she kept shouting for so long. It makes more sense to know that she's calling for two of them. I don't know what she thinks it'll do to call for them since they're not dogs but like clockwork, the call comes three times a day in shrill tones so loud it wakes us up. Annoying, but somewhat endearing too :)

It seems that some of the other neighbours think so too. Without the endearing part. My sibs told me about another one of our neighbours bitching her out. Seriously, it's just a few minutes worth of annoyance a couple times a day. Let the old lady do whatever she wants. I seriously can't believe she yelled at Flora. Both my sis and I think she's a real ass.

Which leads me to the second set of neighbours we kinda know. We share a house with this young couple. We have the front part, they have the back. Separate entrances and everything so we're all good. Uhh...not really. It might just be that our part of the property was vacant for quite a while so they've never really had to practice being good neighbours but they kinda suck at it. The guy's alright. If we see him, we usually exchange nods and a hello. It's the girl who is the problem. She's the one who was mean to Flora and she's quite rude. She also likes to get drunk and start fights with her boyfriend. It's really lovely since we can always hear their arguments complete with slamming doors, obscenities and (according to my sis) loud make-up sex - day or night. There is also the tendency to play loud music (like right now which prompted this post) on weekdays epsecially till about 4 am on Monday nights. I realize the walls are pretty thin but it can get pretty annoying (like right now) when they play clubbing music (the same three songs over and over again) so loudly that the floors and walls vibrate with the beat and I feel like I'm in a club despite being in the living room with the tv on.

I'm not sure if it is my own bad luck or the fact that the houses here seem to be made out of paper and fluff but I always end up hearing more than I ever need or want to know. Ahh, what I wouldn't give for a solid brick house with real walls and no possibility of hearing the neighbours go at it.

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