Jay, soon weekend after a week were I have been working really hard. Well not really two days at work and I mostly been playing with the computer. But don't tell my boss.
Next week is only three days long as it is New Years day on Monday and Eid Al-Adha is on Sunday and as holidays falling on "red" days will be carried forward to the next holiday free day, we get 2nd of January off as well.
Eid Al-Adha seem to be the less of the two Eid festivals here, but they still do sacrifices. By the Surau were I live. they are going to sacrifice seven or eight cows. I am happy I am going balik kampung so I have a good excuse to stay away from. I don't think I could stand watching cows getting their throats open. So unless they start sacrificing fish or vegetables I think I will avoid that particular part of the Eid. Rather become pesco vegetarian than start killing animals myself.
Anyway Eid Mubarak and a Happy New Year to all of you.
29.12.06
28.12.06
Work
Aaaaah, back to work after more than a week off. Just for two days though, than it is New Year and Eid Al-Adha, Not sure if I am supposed to be back at work on Tueasday or Wednesday. Got to go and do some work right now...bye
3 year anniversary
Did not have time to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary on the day. So we did it yesterday instead, as we had one day left on hour vacation and the kids were going to nursery.
Started with watching "Happy Feet", cute but not as good "Finding Nemo".
Had lunch at an Italian restaurant. The past was quite good, the pizza did not taste very much and the dessert were fabulous even though I was full already when we reached it. Cheesecake with a strawberry sauce mmmmmmmmmm.
Then we just strolled around and looked in stores. So in all a nice day.
Started with watching "Happy Feet", cute but not as good "Finding Nemo".
Had lunch at an Italian restaurant. The past was quite good, the pizza did not taste very much and the dessert were fabulous even though I was full already when we reached it. Cheesecake with a strawberry sauce mmmmmmmmmm.
Then we just strolled around and looked in stores. So in all a nice day.
The five things I missed the most during Christmas.
1. My Family
2. My Family
3. Sweden
4. Snö (wouldn't have helped being in Sweden though)
5. "Mer Jul"
2. My Family
3. Sweden
4. Snö (wouldn't have helped being in Sweden though)
5. "Mer Jul"
Julafton
Did not have time to sit down and relax in the morning for sure. Started the day with cooking the porridge and while it was cooking I prepared the pate.
Then we got time to enjoy the lovely porridge. As stated before, it tasted just as it should.
After that I got I little break, so I sat down with Aida in front of the TV and peeled potatoes. Just managed to finish chopping the ‘tatoes for the Janson, when Mummy came back with the mince meat. So I could start on the meatballs.
Than I finally got a real break, so I went and listened to some Christmas music, didn’t manage to make me feel very Christmassy though. Just some few more preparations needed for the lunch. Not too bad either, but you can hardly fail with bought herring and boiled potatoes.
Clean up after lunch and than we opened the presents. Aida’s favorite one was the play-dough. Adam didn’t like his singing dinosaur at all, but he really liked the paper and strings laying on the floor.
Then we got time to enjoy the lovely porridge. As stated before, it tasted just as it should.
After that I got I little break, so I sat down with Aida in front of the TV and peeled potatoes. Just managed to finish chopping the ‘tatoes for the Janson, when Mummy came back with the mince meat. So I could start on the meatballs.
Than I finally got a real break, so I went and listened to some Christmas music, didn’t manage to make me feel very Christmassy though. Just some few more preparations needed for the lunch. Not too bad either, but you can hardly fail with bought herring and boiled potatoes.
Clean up after lunch and than we opened the presents. Aida’s favorite one was the play-dough. Adam didn’t like his singing dinosaur at all, but he really liked the paper and strings laying on the floor.
After getting the kids to sleep I watched a Swedish movie, “Sällskapsresan” not having “Tomten är far till alla barnen”. So it had to do.
After that I went and dug out “Lars Christmas” with Lars Vegas Trio and sat and sang along to the songs. Aaah that was nice.
Prepared the dinner and listened to some more Christmas music and just relaxed.
Not really feeling very Christmassy though. Too much missing. I will definitely not do as much next Malaysian Christmas, maybe a Janson and porridge just to remember it is Christmas.
After that I went and dug out “Lars Christmas” with Lars Vegas Trio and sat and sang along to the songs. Aaah that was nice.
Prepared the dinner and listened to some more Christmas music and just relaxed.
Not really feeling very Christmassy though. Too much missing. I will definitely not do as much next Malaysian Christmas, maybe a Janson and porridge just to remember it is Christmas.
The five dishes I missed the most on the Julbord
1. Sillsallad
2. Inlagd makrill
3. Senapssill
4. Rödbetssallad
5. I know I really missed one more dish, but I can't remeber what it was know??? Update later
2. Inlagd makrill
3. Senapssill
4. Rödbetssallad
5. I know I really missed one more dish, but I can't remeber what it was know??? Update later
JULMAT
Breakfast – Rice porridge with milk, cinnamon and sugar. The porridge turned out so nice and creamy even my sister would be satisfied.
Lunch - Potato, herring and sour cream accompanied by bread, pate and pickled cucumber. Bread got very soft even tough I halved the amount of yeast. Pate good but could have got a little bit more flavor and it too just about forever to bake it.
Dinner – Jansons frestelse, red cabbage, herring, meatballs, sausages and julmust. Janson was really good, could have tasted a bit more of the ansjovis (still used two tins) and took forever to cook. Aida got impatient so had to scoop some out from the corners of the gratin form. So for every piece of potato she had, she tried it on her tongue and found it “panas” (malay for hot) so I had to blow on it. She had a second helping as well so it must have been good. She got really happy when she got the julmust. The meatballs got a bit salty and dry, but on the whole better than the one they served us at IKEA.
Lunch - Potato, herring and sour cream accompanied by bread, pate and pickled cucumber. Bread got very soft even tough I halved the amount of yeast. Pate good but could have got a little bit more flavor and it too just about forever to bake it.
Dinner – Jansons frestelse, red cabbage, herring, meatballs, sausages and julmust. Janson was really good, could have tasted a bit more of the ansjovis (still used two tins) and took forever to cook. Aida got impatient so had to scoop some out from the corners of the gratin form. So for every piece of potato she had, she tried it on her tongue and found it “panas” (malay for hot) so I had to blow on it. She had a second helping as well so it must have been good. She got really happy when she got the julmust. The meatballs got a bit salty and dry, but on the whole better than the one they served us at IKEA.
I made Ris a’la Malta as well. But we were to full to bother about it so we had it as a dessert after lunch on Christmas day. It was indeed very popular.
Bukit Tinggi 20/12-23/12
Had a nice relaxing holiday though it was a bit cold. The combination of winter (raining season) and being 600m up in the hills made a difference in the temperature
Check in was not until 15:00 so we left after lunch. Gave the kids the chance to sleep in the car, which they did most of the trip. Basically did not do very much that day, just relaxed and went to the play ground. The swing was broken and it was very wet. So did not spend very long time there. But we managed to take this picture by the car.
Did not sleep very well cause the pillow was toooooo high (and the porridge too warm).
The kids did not realize that we were on holiday so they woke up around 6:30 as usual. So after breakfast, bathing the kids we decided to go to the sport centre. Norida and me played squash. Aida enjoyed running around in the sport complex. Mummy got Adam to sleep in the stroller. After the game Aida took care of the equipment.
Adam was still sleeping when we finished our hour. So we went to the club house/reception to let and sleep and see if they found Norida mobile phone. Aida and me went a head we started with checking the sofa we were sitting in yesterday while waiting for the key. And behold there were the mobile.
Went home to have lunch and a nap. Adam and I napped together for around two hours.
In the afternoon we went out to have a look at the rabbits at the rabbit farm. It was drizzling and Aida did not like the rabbits, so no picture of the rabbits. Aida enjoyed running around in the parking lot though.
Afterwards we went to Colmar Tropicale, another resort run by the same company but a bit fancier. They had nice Christmas decorations there.
They even had a full size ginger bread house, smelled really nice standing there.
Did not do very much more that day, except some games of cards and Boggle. Slept much better that night, used a bundled up through for head support.
Up early as usual. Watching the news on TV, rain, rain and more rain. Southern Malaysia flooded and in Noridas home town the flooding has caused the water system to shut down. No water because of too much water isn’t it ironic. The shocker of the day came in the main news though. Landslide in Munkedal Sweden just 30 km from my home town.
Check in was not until 15:00 so we left after lunch. Gave the kids the chance to sleep in the car, which they did most of the trip. Basically did not do very much that day, just relaxed and went to the play ground. The swing was broken and it was very wet. So did not spend very long time there. But we managed to take this picture by the car.
Did not sleep very well cause the pillow was toooooo high (and the porridge too warm).
The kids did not realize that we were on holiday so they woke up around 6:30 as usual. So after breakfast, bathing the kids we decided to go to the sport centre. Norida and me played squash. Aida enjoyed running around in the sport complex. Mummy got Adam to sleep in the stroller. After the game Aida took care of the equipment.
Adam was still sleeping when we finished our hour. So we went to the club house/reception to let and sleep and see if they found Norida mobile phone. Aida and me went a head we started with checking the sofa we were sitting in yesterday while waiting for the key. And behold there were the mobile.
Went home to have lunch and a nap. Adam and I napped together for around two hours.
In the afternoon we went out to have a look at the rabbits at the rabbit farm. It was drizzling and Aida did not like the rabbits, so no picture of the rabbits. Aida enjoyed running around in the parking lot though.
Afterwards we went to Colmar Tropicale, another resort run by the same company but a bit fancier. They had nice Christmas decorations there.
They even had a full size ginger bread house, smelled really nice standing there.
Did not do very much more that day, except some games of cards and Boggle. Slept much better that night, used a bundled up through for head support.
Up early as usual. Watching the news on TV, rain, rain and more rain. Southern Malaysia flooded and in Noridas home town the flooding has caused the water system to shut down. No water because of too much water isn’t it ironic. The shocker of the day came in the main news though. Landslide in Munkedal Sweden just 30 km from my home town.
Must have been a drought in interesting international news or they wanted to show that Malaysia is not the only country that have problem with the weather. It was not raining in Bukit Tinggi though and as we didn’t want to stay dry we went swimming at Colmar. Little bit too cold to be enjoyable, but they had a Sauna to make up for any shortcomings temperature wise. Really nice, but they could have turned up the temperature a bit more.
Back to the apartment and lunch and another nap with Adam.
In the afternoon Norida, Aida and I went to the botanic garden and the Japanese tea house. Aida was really fascinated by the Koi fish (I prefer fury animals, but they were not available).
The plants were really nice though.
Back to the apartment and lunch and another nap with Adam.
In the afternoon Norida, Aida and I went to the botanic garden and the Japanese tea house. Aida was really fascinated by the Koi fish (I prefer fury animals, but they were not available).
The plants were really nice though.
We even found a small forest of Angels trumpet, but they were not open on such a gloomy day. (That's why we look so unhappy.)
When we came back we went to the playground again. It is a nice area, with the swallows flying around.
Adam had a try at the teeter-totter.
And Aida went swinging.
After that we had enough for the day and retreated home for the night, with some card games before sleeping.
Rise and shine to the last day at Bukit Tinggi and finally no raining and quite nice and warm. Went for another morning game of squash before we tried to see some monkeys. Could just hear them though, boooring.
Went home via IKEA to get Julmust, rödkål, pepparkakor and smörgåsgurka.
19.12.06
God Jul, Merry Christmas, Fröhliche Weihnachten
Probably not gonna blog until after Christmas, so have a vary Merry Christmas. As before going to Bukit Tinggi tomorrow. Back on Saturday. Start preparing the Christmas food. The plans for Christmas is relax and eat Swedish Christmas food. Rice porridge for breakfast. Herring, Janson, meatballs and Ris a'la Malta for dinner. Just wish I could watch "Tomten är far till alla barnen".
Holiday
Just a couple hours left to work before 8 days holiday. We are going to Bukit Tinggi tomorrow to get out of the house for a while. The only other place we been to when we been out is my in-laws. My mother in law is coming as well, she arrived yesterday. So it will be vacation for all of us. Mummy take care of two her grand children full time. So occasionally taking care of Aida and Adam will be relaxing (I hope). While Norida and me can go and do some sport or so. Not very much more to do up there.
18.12.06
Christmas lunch?
Just came back from SEGi college Christmas lunch. Can honestly say that it was not a traditional one, even though there were turkey. Pizza and spaghetti seem more like a choosy eating kids Christmas lunch than anything else. Tasted good though, with a nice salad and some sandwiches managed got get myself reasonably full as well. Might need some afternoon snack.
16/12/06
Got around to do some baking for Christmas. Made a apple puree cake with lots of spices, really yummy. Than I made a quick version of pepparkaka. The best quick version I made. Tasted like a crossing between the traditional pepparkaka and Ginger nut biscuits. Some of them got a bit burnt though. Adam wanted some attention at the "wrong" time.
Also finally got to see Adams two day older cousin, Asyikin. She is a real cutie, keep smiling a lot. Here is a picture of her and her mummy. Plus a picture of Adam and Aida trying Asyikin's bike.
Also finally got to see Adams two day older cousin, Asyikin. She is a real cutie, keep smiling a lot. Here is a picture of her and her mummy. Plus a picture of Adam and Aida trying Asyikin's bike.
15.12.06
Christmas preparations
Just received two parcels from Sweden, with plenty of pressies. Maybe need to get a tree after all. Don't know were to put it though. Plan to do some Christmas baking this weekend though. A spicy fruit cake and lusskatter. Anna pepparkakor will have to do. Too much hustle to make my own.
Christmas cards
The total toll for Christmas cards so far is 3. Still one week to go and last year they kept dropping in until New Year. Hopefully we'll get our own cards posted today. Hopefully they will arrive before Christmas.
Weekend 9-10/12 III
Here are the pictures from the previous weekend. One of all three of us together playing in the bed. The other is how the kids look after they finished there milk. 
Pen drive ADOI!
Jay finally got myself a pen drive. Though it turned out to be a bad idea to open the pack for it using a knife. Jabbed 1cm into my finger, seem to be heeling nicely, but really hurts when I stretch the finger.
14.12.06
Weekend 16-17/12
Work again.
I worked Sunday 3/12 as there were an education fair. Than Norida was occupied with a conference all last weekend. This week I will have to work at least half a day, Sunday I suppose.
Will try to bake on Saturday. Can't make up my kind what to cook though. Lussekatter, pepparkakor, Scottish ginger bread or fruit cake. Will see.
See the ugly building I am working in. It just so damn disproportionate. If the used golden rectangles they must have turned them around 90°.
No Pictures
Wanted to post pictures from the weekend but the pc's at work keep destroying my CD-RW. Have to get a pendrive....soon.
12.12.06
Tooth
I forgot, Adam got his first tooth last week Monday (I think, might have been Tuesday as well). So he got a really charming smile/laugh with a small tooth.
IKEA
The big disappointment of the weekend (actually Monday but it was holiday).
The Christmas food had not arrived yet. So no Julmust and no nice pepparkakor (they got Anna pepparkakor, but they are not as nice as the Gille ones).
Got the Ansjovis though so there will be Janson around Christmas some time. Together with meat balls, some herring and porridge should still be OK.
The second disappointment were the lunch. Had Swedish meatballs. Lumpy chewie meatballs, should have gone for a big bunch of hot dogs with loads of mustard on instead, would have been more satisfactory.
The question now is should I be satisfied with Annas pepparkaor or should I make the effort of baking my own. Don't really trust my oven so Annas pepparkakor have to be damn unsatisfactory for own baking. But I will try to make lussekatter (with cardamon, not saffron) though and a fruit cake or Scottish ginger bread.
The Christmas food had not arrived yet. So no Julmust and no nice pepparkakor (they got Anna pepparkakor, but they are not as nice as the Gille ones).
Got the Ansjovis though so there will be Janson around Christmas some time. Together with meat balls, some herring and porridge should still be OK.
The second disappointment were the lunch. Had Swedish meatballs. Lumpy chewie meatballs, should have gone for a big bunch of hot dogs with loads of mustard on instead, would have been more satisfactory.
The question now is should I be satisfied with Annas pepparkaor or should I make the effort of baking my own. Don't really trust my oven so Annas pepparkakor have to be damn unsatisfactory for own baking. But I will try to make lussekatter (with cardamon, not saffron) though and a fruit cake or Scottish ginger bread.
Weekend 9-10/12 II
Yes, all of us survived the weekend. Even though the kids were terrible tired on Saturday night. As soon as they got there milk they went straight to sleep.
Spent most of the day playing with them, obviously tired them more than I thought. Actually Adam have fever so he kept getting tired really quickly and Aida didn't manage to get her midday nap. She actually dozed off just before dinner.
Sunday more or less the same just managed to get the kids sleeping better. Aida got a two hour nap and Adam had three naps of an hour or more.
So in all a very nice weekend spent with two adorable kids
Spent most of the day playing with them, obviously tired them more than I thought. Actually Adam have fever so he kept getting tired really quickly and Aida didn't manage to get her midday nap. She actually dozed off just before dinner.
Sunday more or less the same just managed to get the kids sleeping better. Aida got a two hour nap and Adam had three naps of an hour or more.
So in all a very nice weekend spent with two adorable kids
8.12.06
Weekend 9-10/12 I
Jay weekend is soon here again. Wont be very relaxing though.
Norida is working all of Saturday and I mean all, 8.00 til late at night. Also she will be working on Sunday but normal office time at least. So for sure I'm not gonna have a relaxing weekend, but hopefully fun with my kids.
And Monday is holiday as well so I have time to recover.
Might go to IKEA to get some ansjovis, must and other stuff for Christmas food.
Norida is working all of Saturday and I mean all, 8.00 til late at night. Also she will be working on Sunday but normal office time at least. So for sure I'm not gonna have a relaxing weekend, but hopefully fun with my kids.
And Monday is holiday as well so I have time to recover.
Might go to IKEA to get some ansjovis, must and other stuff for Christmas food.
Adam
Here is one of Adam's photos as well. He keep doing a lot of floor swimming as way of getting around.He is very fascinated with cables, to his sisters dismay as he keep unplugging the TV.
Not walking yet, but raising to sitting position for a while and start climbing up to standing position by the sofa.
Aida
Here is one of the more recent photos of Aida.
She start talking more now instead of the babbling she did before. She pick up a couple of new words every day. Unfortunately lots are in Malay, but that gives me the opportunity to learn as well.
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