Mumbai Memories

It is about a year today that I was in Mumbai visiting my best friend, Vasantha and my god-daughter Aleeshya. I was flicking through the photos and remembered the trip so well.




The week I was there, Vasantha took really good care of me - making sure I take in as much as Mumbai could offer. We went on a city tour to sample Mumbai's rich history (Ghandi), magnificent architectures (gateway to India), diversity (palaces and slums) and of course the yummy curries.



And speaking of curries, it was here in Mumbai that I have tasted my favourite type of curry - The Mumbai Green Masala. I loved it so much that I made Aida (Vasantha's helper) to cook it again before I left Mumbai and of course, noted down the recipe. So, to celebrate my one year Mumbai memories, I decided to cook it today:

1) First blend coriander leaves, mint leaves, cinnamon, cumin, green chillies and pepper corns with some water. This is the masala paste and is left to set.


2) Also, marinate chicken pieces with chopped garlic, onion, ginger and salt and set aside.


3) Heat oil in pan. When ready, fry sliced onions and some curry leaves until 'naik bau'.


3) Then add in chopped tomatoes and potatoes and fry till potatoes are cooked.


4) Then mix in the masala paste in (1) and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.


5) Last but not least, add in the chicken pieces and mix well. Simmer till 'naik minyak'.


6) Finish off with salt and sugar to taste and our Mumbai Green Masala is ready, hoorrraayyyyy!!! (clap, clap, clap).

Desperate Housewife

Since my last post, I was kept on my toes juggling Haidan, Hairee and Hubby.

On good days, Hubby comes home early and we all sat down together for dinner. Haidan gives a big kiss before bed and Hairee slept through the night.

But on bad days, Hubby comes home late and missed dinner. Haidan throws a tantrum before bed and Hairee decides to play through the night.

Yes, it has been a roller-coaster month. I did a daily schedule just to get myself organised and it did helped quite a bit. Most of the things I wanted to achieve has been done:

1) Breastfeeding is going well, Alhamdulillah. I think I managed to compile about 80 packs of frozen milk stored from my daily morning expressing.

2) I have lost weight and inches since I gave birth. Though I know I can do much better without the Doritos and Oreos... and start on my Wii Fit as soon as possible. Yes, Hubby gave me a Wii Fit for my 34th birthday and it is still in the box, ooops!

3) Caught up with the latest episodes of Vampire Diaries and Desperate Housewives.

4) We managed to squeeze in a short family trip to Liverpool. Although we just stayed one night as hubby was working and it was tiring (4 hours drive to Liverpool and back), but it was really nice. It was just good to get away from home and I was really happy to see Hubby and Haidan enjoying themselves together- it has been a while since we all just spent quality time out.


5) I have braved the town with Haidan and Hairee in tow all by myself. Hard work but the fresh air was worth it.

All in all in the past month, I was really living the desperate housewife life- keeping myself busy trying to be the perfect mom and wife. There were days when I knew I did a good job but most days feeling overwhelmed by it all. I enjoyed the moments of laughter with my 2 boys and also the tears when it got a bit too much, especially from the exhaustion of it all. But I will cherish this coz I may not get this chance again to spend as much time with my boys. Also nothing beats a big thank you hug from your loved ones after a long day... knowing that hey, I might not be the perfect housewife... but at least I'm appreciated.

Busy busy busy

Today marks the first day I'm left on my own as a full time mom. Got up for Hairee's morning feed at 8am and then got Haidan ready for nursery. While Haidan has his breakfast, I expressed my daily breastmilk for storage. Then Hubby sends Haidan off to nursery and I'm off to bed again.

At 11am, Hairee's awake for his next feed. This is when I'll officially get up for breakfast and then mandi and get ready. I then mandikan Hairee and from 2-5pm, I have the whole 3 hours to catch up with housework and prepare for dinner.

Today Hubby comes home early but from tomorrow onwards, I will have to get ready at 5pm to go and pick up Haidan from nursery. It will then be crazy after as I will have to juggle with getting a stubborn toddler for his bath+dinner and a clingy baby who can't be left alone for more than 5 minutes!

It will be a bit of an experiment on how I can cope in the next couple of days but hopefully I can establish a routine good enough to sort out Haidan, Hairee, the housework and fit in some well deserved 'me' time in a day.

Another year older...

... and another year wiser.

My 34th birthday is my official (self declared) pantang off-day. So the first thing we did was to go enjoy my long awaited Oreo milkshake! Horrraaayyyyyy!

Today is also my self-declared official independence day - the day where Papa and Mummy are no longer here to help around leaving Hubby and I to manage 2 kids all on our own! The thought was quite scary as we have taken them for granted for the past month.

Anyways, this year's birthday celebration is just me with my family. It was a simple lunch meal with the ones that matter most to me and it was lovely. I learnt from the past that to enjoy the present I must not worry too much about the future - just take one day at a time and enjoy every moment of it.

Happy birthday me :)