Piggy Bank

We were in KL a few nights before Aidilfitri just to enjoy the scenic skyline of Kuala Lumpur, the Garden City of Lights. Liya practised her spelling skills. so she started reading aloud the name of the streets, boulevards, signboards, buildings, etc. It was such a real life experience as Liya was becoming a reader and also a citizen.

We passed the historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, HSBC, McDonald’s, Central Market to name few. I would recall taking Ajib and Liya to Central Market or Pasar Seni to get a birthday gift for Daddy. We bought the special Arch production for Malaysian traditional wooden house series. The 3D houses placed in frames reflect the unique features of each house state, mainly due to local contents like cultures, types of wood found, logistics, etc. – Rumah Perak, Rumah Pahang,  Rumah Minangkabau.

Ajib was also enjoying the night lights and the screen on DBKL building, And then, Liya posted a question..

“Mama, it that climb bank?” Liya asked me for verification or simply boasted her skills. Well, it did not sound familiar. Moreover, I never wondered there is such a weird sounding banks, ever..anywhere. By now, Liya and Ajib have known that the money they saved will be sent to the bank for safekeeping.

Located the ‘victim’ by now, I read the sign CIMB…so where did the L come from? Liya smiled sheepishly. So, Liya and I tried again and this time the name of the building was just the letters put together C I M Band meaningless to new starters. Unlike Jalan Kuching or Batu Caves..

Don’ be harsh on children. Don’t humiliate the children. Don’t kill their enthusiasm. Don’t be judgmental. Don’t make fun of them but let’s make learning as fun as possible..

Adults also try make mistakes. When we come across new things, we may lucky guesses and interpret the situations. We may not be accurate all the time…

Welcome to CLIMB bank..

Love Feeds

When there’s a family gathering, I’ve always think long and hard what I should be cooking for the ‘clan.’ A few recipes have been in the family for generations and they are still the best devoured dishes. This year I baked a quiche but with an improvised recipe. Of course, I added veggies to the mushroom and chicken original recipe. It looked so colorful with broccoli, carrot, chicken slices, mushroom against the yellowish egg-colored topping.

Besides strengthening our family ties, each of us shared many stories. We applauded on each success and shed tears on each loss or pain. We missed those who couldn’t make it for the evening. We hoped to continue the tradition for many years to come. I think it’s time for me to start learning the family recipes.

The savoury quiche was finally gone. And, I’ll be worried about next year’s family union.

Recipe Cheesy Chicken Quiche

Crust:

175gm plain flour

100gm butter

2 x 15ml cold water

Topping & Sauce:

Broccoli – cut

3 Chicken with cheese slices – cut

2 Chicken with onion slices – cut

11 button mushroom – sliced

1/2 carrot – grated

2 eggs – beaten

165ml milk

salt & pepper

seasoning

Cooking method:

Prepare the crust by making breadcrumb-like from butter and flour. Add water to make a dough. Rest in fridge for 15minutes.

Meanwhile, saute mushrooms and then add broccoli for a few minutes.

Roll the cooled dough and bake for 10 minutes at 200C covered with wax paper.Remove paper and bake another 10 minutes. Arrange all veggie and chicken slices on top of crust before adding the mixture of milk and eggs. Bake for 20 minutes at 175C.

Aidilfitri 2009

I waved goodbye to my brother and sister in-law this morning. Yesterday afternoon, the whole office staff asked for each other’s forgiveness and wished everyone happy Eid Mubarak. It’s the time where everyone feels homesick and rushes to his or her hometown.

Liya also wanted to go visit Opah and Nenek. Ajib has been missing cousin brother Aldeen more than anything in his wide wide world. The spirit of family lives despite the miles high or ocean deeps. Being parted actually tests the real feelings we have inside for each other. Sometimes family members stay inches apart but they could not stand the sight of each other.

I had celebrated Aidilfitri away before, 5 years in a row. I also had sent cookies and rendang to my former staff who spent Aidilfitri abroad. I heard all the cries and whines from friends, students and families during festive season for being away far far from home and loved ones. And, I wish when they unite with their loved ones, they don’t take anyone for granted. Celebrating family values and togetherness is far greater than money could buy. Aidilfitri is beyond new clothes, jewelleries, shoes, house adornments, etc. Let the spirit of Aidilfitri live and the true light of love shine..

Maaf Zahir Batin – Azian & Parenting By Accident Team

E-Card – Selamat Menyambut Aidilfitri 2009

Happy Eid 2009

To all friends and fans of Parenting By Accident, we hope that you’ve enjoyed and followed our blog since day 1. Being and living our small nuclear family, we are far from getting support and love in managing our modern family lives. Nevertheless, we are so proud  and happy to see how young parents take it as a challenge – raising kids, creating happy families and progressing in their careers.

We shall update with more tips and techniques for parenting. Some have been documented, some in trial sessions and some have yet to be tested and discovered. Parenting is dynamic and 24/7 professional career. So, we keep on improving over the years. Let’s learn from each other and together we can it a better and ‘best moment’ for families. Despite all the financial crises, escalating divorce rates and tons of other ‘ills of the world.’

There’s no back and forth redox reaction here. It is hard to say if a family would ever be in the state of equilibrium. Parenting success can be seen in a cyclic period. The success can be rated if a young adult comes out and start being independent. He/she will be emotionally stable, content with life and socially equipped. On contrary, it takes one generation to doom a family.