My father, My refuge, My rock

It was pouring dogs and cats yesterday evening. I was working on my study table while little Ryan was with the maid downstairs having his meal. It was a thunderstorm. Lightning was flashing everywhere, thunders were roaring and the wind howling. My little Zoewe the toy poodle was literally trembling and just won't leave my side. Suddenly, with one mighty flash and a thunderous roar, the power supply was cut!

I rushed down and found my maid carrying Ryan. The moment he saw me, he stretched out his little arms and wanted me to carry him. I took him over and held him close to my chest. Being curious as he is, he pointed to the lightning and thunders and was making his famous frowns with his eyebrows. Then another lightning stroked not too far from our house. I can literally see the lightning bolt zig zagging down. He immediately snuggled his little head into my chest and put my hand over his ears. I held on to him to assure him that I'm there and everything will be alright. He stayed perfectly still (something that is very unlike him). The thunderstorm went on for a good 30 minutes and throughout the whole period, he just hang on me with my hand over his ear. Then I found out why he was so still. He felt asleep amidst the thunderstorm. He must have felt so secure, so calm, so safe and so assured that the thunderstorm meant nothing to him anymore.

That moment was so precious (to me at least) because I felt that I being his father, I have managed to provide him the sense of security that he needed. I was determined to make sure that he felt safe and calm. I was determined to stand there with my hands over his ears as long as it takes. I was prepared to hold him close to my chest for as long as he needs. That moment defined what fatherhood is all about.

And then, I was reminded that I was taught years ago that our Father above would love us, protect us, shield us, comfort us and will provide a refuge for us whenever there is a storm. I never really appreciate nor understand how He would feel and His determination to provide that assurance until I saw Ryan sleeping soundly hanging on to me amidst the lightning and thunder clapping all around us. Now I must said, that I have a slightly better understanding of how much He would go through for His children because I would go through anything to make sure that my previous Ryan is safe and well.

Rock of Ages, Cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee...

A roaring Tiger year for a little mouse ...

2010, the year of the Roaring Tiger. I'm 20 months old now and this Chinese New Year, we did not go back to my grandma's house in Kampar. Instead, we managed to convince her to come to our house to celebrate the Chinese New Year with me. And this is how I spent the first few days of my Chinese New Year ..and it was FUN FUN FUN!

It all started with our reunion dinner with both my grandmothers at our favourite restaurant, Ta Ta Di near our house. As no Chinese new year is incomplete without the traditional `low sang' I had my very FIRST `low sang' with both my grandmothers. It was fun seeing adults playing with their food and they allowed me to do the same for once. Wish I am allowed to do this everyday!!!

I've learnt the second thing that Chinese New Year must have is gambling and it mahjong is a MUST. Since I am Chinese, it doesn't really hurt to start young. So, here I am, having my very FIRST mahjong game! Apparently, the harder you slammed the mahjong on the table, the more fun it is! Interesting!

Since the weather during Chinese New Year is so very very HOT, I went for a dip at my aunt's condo swimming pool.

On the second day of New Year, I went to my maternal grandmother's house for dinner and my dad introduced me to something called the motorcycle. But the power of the bike is a little too small to my liking. Bring on those 500cc monsters and then we will be rocking! (But for now, I settled with this)

Of course, since this is only the second day of New Year, every dinner is only complete if we have another `low sang' and playing and tossing with my food. So, here I am, playing with food with the adults again and this time, I managed to get more food OUT from the plate onto the table...hehehe...

And of course, to sharpen my skills to prepare me for my adulthood, I have to played more mahjong ....

Since this is the Tiger year, my mommy made sure that I have my tiger outfit to sleep with. So, here I am in my own version of my Tiger skin (minus the tail of course!)

And daddy made sure that I know that he loves me by kissing me and tickling me pink...Sigh...To make him happy, I just have to endure his pricky pricky face brushing my still silky smooth cheek....A son got to do what a son got to do....

And I get to play with my favourite toy, my very own bubble gun! Woooweeeeee......

I must said that Chinese New Year is certainly FUN and TIRING! After all those excitement, I think I'm going to take a nap and get ready for more. By the look of things, I think daddy needed the nap and the break more than I do....hahahaha

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE AND MAY THE TIGER BRINGS YOU AND ALL YOUR LOVED ONES A YEAR OF ROARING SUCCESS, HEALTH AND WEALTH....

Our very own `Horse' Riding

Ryan likes to play a while before he eventually sleeps. Tonight, as usual, he wanted all of us to accompany him in the bedroom while he watches cartoon and goofed around before he decides to sleep. He was sitting on his bolster while watching TV when suddenly, I have this urge to play cowboy and indian with him. We didn't have horses but we have our bolsters. So, we `rode' our bolsters round the bedroom shouting and laughing and mommy was busy clicking away with the camera while we ride into the sunset.

I think I was like a fool riding on that bolster but every moment was priceless as we shouted with excitement and laughed our heart out because I knew that there won't be many such moments as he grows up. So bring on the bolsters and ride on...Yeeee haaaa......

Hard Rock Hotel Part II

This is the continuation of our holiday in Hard Rock Hotel in Penang last December. This was also Ryan's first time playing on the sand and walking the beach. We were worried that he would be afraid but to our surprise, he showed no sign of fear and was happily kicking away. He enjoyed kicking at the waves so much.

Father and son enjoying our morning walk along the beach. Priceless!

Mommy and Ryan, both putting their best foot forward together. Another priceless moment.

Wheeeee......sand and dirt!!!!

WOw!!!...What a feeling! Having the waves splashing on me!

Mussels in White Wine Sauce

I have not had many food recipe post of late. Not that I've stop playing with food. Just that the kind of food that I've been trying out now are no longer meant for confinement, since there is no need for that now.

We went for an Italian meal recently and had mussels for our appertizers. We loved it and hence, when we saw a recent offer for a box of New Zealand green mussels for only RM20, we grabbed it and attempted the recipe ourselves. It is a very simple dish and relatively easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• Mussels
• White Wine
• Basil leaves
• Garlic
• Corn Flour
• Salt and black pepper

Method:

• Clean mussels thoroughly.
• Chop basil leaves finely and cut garlic in thin slices
• Placed mussels, basil leaves, garlic, white wine and a touch of olive oil, a pinch of salt and black pepper together and steamed for 15 minutes or until mussels are cooked.
• Remove cooked mussels to be used later.
• Transfer the remaining juice/liquid left from steaming the mussels into a sauce pan.
• Add a cup of water and simmer.
• Add additinonal chopped basil leaves if desired.
• Mix a teaspoon of corn flour with water and add into sauce pan to thicken the sauce.
• When sauce thickens, add cooked mussels and allow to simmer together for 2 minutes.
• Serve immediately.