Random Questions On A Random Day

Pam Song: Actually, what is your ideal house?

The Husband: Nah… *points at me* You. It’s a person. Pam Song.

🤭

My Husband Is Better Than Yours

Some husbands shower their wives

with flowers as an expression of their love. 💐

My husband changed the game. 🤩

Oh yeah... #myhusbandisbetterthanyours

p/s: This is not an ad. 😂

God Speaks

In the early days that we discovered this new mass, The Husband and I decided to embark on some couple scripture reading. Meaning, we both read the same books in the Bible – he suggested Psalms and Matthew – but not necessarily sit down and read it together at the same time. I agreed. I followed the plan as diligently as I could. If I missed a day, I made up for it the day after. I didn't plan the timing of it all, and I don't believe it's coincidence that this was tonight's chapter:

There is so much encouragement to be found in Psalm 16,

especially considering this is my last night at home, pre-surgery.

From His safety and refuge (i.e. a safe operation), to pleasant boundary lines (i.e. no spread of cancer beyond the DCIS), to not being abandoned in the realm of the dead (i.e. won't die on the operating table 😅), to no decay (i.e. the tissues and flaps will survive the op) – it all comforts me so.

Also, I somehow keep getting reminders to stay joyful as I journey along this narrow path. And I must admit, that as the days go by, it's getting easier and easier to smile and rejoice, in spite of all that is to come. 

Do I not fear the surgery? Sure I do. Do I not wonder if life will ever be the same again post-op? Of course! But I know that I have a good and faithful God whose plan for me is perfect. And though the journey is tough, He will never leave me nor forsake me. It is well. 

Hands-On Vs Handsome

During JZ's first swimming competition, we hear the principal of the school on the mic, MC-ing the event. It came as a surprise to me la (cos usually this sort of thing is beneath principals) so, I turned to The Husband and made a comment...


Pam Song: Ee chin hands on hor ee. (Hokkien for "He's very hands on, isn't he?")

The Husband: *sits up straight on high alert* HANDSOME???

LOL. Tak korek telinga. Jealous ka dia? 🤣

More Kin Chi Bee Hoon

The Husband went to tapau Kin Chi Bee Hoon for me again tonight from the Jalan C.Y. Choy stall. Double packet this time cos I'm ambitiously tham ciak like that.

Downed the two packets easy while I

watched [Dorothy]도로시 mukbang videos.

She whack, I also whack. LOL.

Kin Chi Bee Hoon @ Jalan C.Y. Choy

Turns out the Kin Chi Bee Hoon from last night was actually lousy. Everyone else at home who ate it also agreed that it was tasteless and just blah. So it wasn't just my tastebuds acting up! Haha. Memang lousy punya.


So, since I've got nothing but Kin Chi Bee Hoon on the brain, the Husband went off in search of Kin Chi Bee Hoon again for me tonight. Today, he went to Jalan C.Y. Choy to tapau on Papa's recommendation. Good call! Cos this totally hit the spot.

Soooooo yummy! 🤤

One packet not enough. 😅

2nd FT Date With EJ

Was exchanging rants with her midway when suddenly, I see her finger floating in front of the screen for no apparent reason at all. I stop and ask, "Eh. What you pointing at??" Then she goes, "Oh! Hahaha. I trying to take a picture!" LOL! 

So yes, we issa taking

screenshot pichas after that. 👯‍♀️

And then we went right back

to Rant.FM hahaha. #priorities

Seriously though, I felt so much better after our chat. Was feeling kinda down in the dumps earlier. This is why women need girlfriends in life la. Even The Husband noticed the difference later and said: "Eh, you look better today. Happier. Tell EJ she must call and talk to you every day. No excuses." 😂

New Chef In Da Haus

After a total of 18 years together, which includes, 9 years of dating, 1 year of engagement, 8 years of marriage, and 7 years with kids... there were, of course, numerous times in between where I heard that "one day" The Husband would try his hand at cooking the family dinner. Well, that "one day" finally arrived. 😃 #patienceisavirtue

Chef in action.

Very pleased with himself. 😆

Salmon Spaghetti Aglio Olio.

The chef and his creation.

Ahh, I think after this I can
retire from the kitchen liao. 😝

Making Sure Fiction Doesn't Turn Into Reality

The Husband: Eh, your hair not bad ah... Still got a lot.

Pam Song: Ya ya. I'm also surprised. I thought sure no more di by now. 

*2 seconds later*

The Husband: Why don't you just shave it all off?

Pam Song: Why!? Later la. So inconvenient to go out without hair. Now still ok ma. 

The Husband: Don't wait until you look like Smeagol. You know Smeagol?? "My preeciiiioouuusssssss..." 🤪

Pam Song: 😠😡

Kanasai betul dia.

ABC – Easy As 123

Lunch is here! And guess who made it?

THE HUSBAND! 👏👍👏👍👏👍

Can you believe that?? Man has made soup from scratch! From going to the market to boiling up all the ingredients – no stock cubes involved! This is truly a #hariinidalamsejarah moment and I'm so grateful and proud of The Husband for doing this for me. And that, my friends, is how you do marriage. When one goes down, the other steps up. 🤝 How to not love this man, I ask you?? 😘

"Spaghetti Aglio Olio ala Okusan" Story & Recipe

The Husband went down to KL last week for work and stayed with Younger BIL and his Okusan. He was itching to stuff his face with some of our usual KL yummies after being away for so long but she had already planned on cooking so he grumbled a bit to me, then gwai gwai stayed home to eat.  😂

And then he sent me this:

Wah. 🙅‍♀️ So naturally,

Competitive Wife Mode

automatic ON la, right?? 

But nevermind. I bo chup. Play it cool. Pretend act mature. After all, Man not here but Man still needs to eat ma. Good that he got good food lor. BUT THEN... after he came back, non-stop he raving about the pasta. Kept asking me to cook it, cook it, cook it, cos it's so good, so good, so good. 

Then when he went marketing, he bought me the biggest slab of salmon I ever saw. 🧐 So long, I can wrap it around my head like a turban 👳‍♀️ and still have spare to use as shawl. 🧣 So ma have to cook it lor. 👩‍🍳

Before – can't make Aglio Olio without parsley.

NAH.

After.

Swallowed my pride and asked Okusan for

the recipe she used and she gave me the FB link.

The Husband and Papa tucking in.

Ok, I must admit. This recipe is pretty good.

I liked it. The Husband totally raved about it – asked me to open restaurant. Papa even commended – "sophisticated," he said, then continued, "Can make for party next time." So I guess that makes this recipe a keeper lah. 👍

It's less buttery than the usual agilo olio I make so I can see why The Husband likes it. (He no likes butter, no likes cream sauce, no likes rich food. 🙄) And the overdose on mild-flavoured, water-tasting veggies makes the dish lighter and more refreshing. I didn't really follow the recipe cos I'm not that kind of cook so I won't bother dropping the FB link here. Modified recipe below.

-----------------------------------------

SALMON AGLIO OLIO ALA OKUSAN

-----------------------------------------

Ingredients:

Lots of fresh Italian Parsley (minced)

Dash of Basil (dried)

Dash of Thyme (dried)

Dash of Rosemary (dried)

Dash of Mixed Herbs (dried)

Garlic Powder (to taste)

Onion Powder (to taste)

Sea Salt (to taste)

1tbsp salted butter

Olive Oil

5 cloves Garlic (thinly sliced)

1 helluva slab of Fresh Salmon (dried then marinated in salt and pepper)

1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced)

1 Yellow Bell Pepper (sliced)

Some Cherry Tomatoes (halved)

1 Zucchini

Spaghetti – boiled al dente

Note: I used two frying pans for this recipe cos it was late and I didn't have time to wait or clean the pan in between.

In Frying Pan #1:

1. Pan-fry red and yellow bell peppers in mixture of olive oil and butter. Add a dash of garlic and onion powder. Sauté until cooked.
2. Add zucchini and cherry tomatoes, then pan-fry until lightly cooked. 

In Frying Pan #2:

1. Shallow-fry salmon in olive oil till fully cooked and brown on the sides. Remove from skin.
2. Shallow-fry salmon skin in same oil till crispy – should break like Lays potato chips when you stab it with a fork.
3. Remove any residue from the oil and lower heat.
4. Lightly fry garlic slices until fragrant.
5. Add minced parsley and sauté.
6. Sauté in all other dried herbs. 
7. Sauté in onion powder, garlic powder and salt to taste.
8. Sauté in veggies. 
9. Sauté in salmon pieces.
10. Stir in spaghetti then immediately plate and serve!

Good Hair Day

I'm currently 2 days short of 2 weeks post-chemo. From what I've heard and have been told, hair-fall begins between weeks 1 and 2 after chemo. That means right about NOW. 😥☹️😭 #livinginlimbo

I haven't yet experienced any unusual hair fall, to be honest. 🙏 But IF this weekend ends up being my very last weekend to dress up and feel good about myself, then heck it, I'll dress up and feel good! 🙆‍♀️💃💁‍♀️

Put in a little extra effort today so,

of course, got to take pics la. 😁

Skipped the eyeliner lest make-up remover

ends up removing my eyelashes, too. 😅😂 

On my way downstairs, I bumped into The Husband and he commended my look. ☺️ (Obviously haven't dressed up in awhile. 😝) So, he kena roped in to be photographer.

Then, of course, must take pics together

before his wife goes botak la, right?

My biggest supporter.

My rock.

Someone else wanted in on the fun, too!

Have a great Sunday, y'all! I know I will!

Marketing Man

No, not the business-and-advertising kind 👨‍💻👨‍💼;

I mean, the fish-and-veggie kind. 🐟🌿

The Husband very kindly went marketing for me today. At first it started of really well. My phone stayed relatively silent and I just received WA message updates on and off with a scattering of questions here and there. Then later, the messages increased in frequency. Then, the video calls started coming in. Call after call, minutes apart. 😥😥😥 Then this exploded:

I dunno which is more stressful. Trying not to miss any calls while you're on the phone and cooking breakfast... Explaining exactly where Cooking Cream is located at a supermarket you don't frequent... or trying to explain the difference between smoked salmon and frozen salmon to a man who can't tell the difference. 😅

Because Words Matter

I'm so glad that while The Husband is your typical, everyday Chinaman when it comes to certain things, he's also not your typical, everyday Chinaman when it comes to other things. Like when he says things like this:


The Husband: Honey, I’m so glad you’re in my life.

Pam Song: 🙂

The Husband: I mean... I’m so glad I’m in your life. Not the same, right?

Pam Song: AWWW... *melts*

Ya lor. Not the same. 😘

Our 6th Anniversary Date

The beauty about being in Penang is that we have family here. There are my in-laws, my parents, and my older BIL's family. That's a fair number of people we can offload our kids off to. 😈

Well, it's our 6th anniversary today so...

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THAT!!!

We left the kids to nap with Mama in the afternoon, then let her bring them off for play and dinner with their cousins later. That way, The Husband and I managed to sneak in an anniversary Movie + Dinner date without the kids missing us too much. 😎 #responsiblyirresponsibleparents


We were at Gurney Paragon for the movie (we usually movie at TGV – if ever we do 😅 – cos we get free tickets there) so The Husband decided to splurge on some Godiva ice cream for us to share. Never try before and special occasion ma. #suaku

Well, we both decided that this will be the first and last Godiva ice cream we'll ever have pay for. Subpar, underwhelming and overpriced. Pfft! Or maybe we have cheap taste and are cheapskate. LOLOLOL! 😂

We then drove out for an early dinner at

What The Duck Café & Restaurant, Nagore Road.

Lots of greens cos The Husband very healthy healthy now and also cos it was in their set menu. We both ordered different salads so we can be efficient and try all during one visit but I can't tell you what salads they were cos I'm not cut out to be a food blogger like that. Haha.

Me and my dunno-called-what salad.

The Husband and his also-dunno-called-what salad.

Soup.

While waiting for our main course.

We had to wait quite a bit for our main course of Duck Confit to arrive. (Hence the depletion of my drink.) But boy, was it worth the wait. Look at this gold-kissed, crispy-skinned beauty! 😍

No regrets la. Soooo good. The meat fell of the bones and the taste was just exquisite. Tasty and not at all ducky-smelling. 😷 You know la. Duck is like pork. It comes with a stink sometimes. Anyway, I'm not a super big fan of duck la, and I don't eat it very often but... how to go to What The Duck and don't order duck, right?? I finished this one off real good.

Dessert.

After that, we went home and life went back to normal. The kids were awake, there was lots of noise, some laughter, some threatening and some tears. Then came the quiet and now, I'm here writing this post so I don't forget that in spite of us having kids and wanting to be good, dedicated, doting parents, we need to just stop and focus on US sometimes, too. 

Happy Anniversary, Honey. 💏

Bad Days Require Comfort Food

Today is not a good day. Or rather today's supreme emo-ness is a result of yesterday being a super bad day. One of the lowest points in my motherhood journey thus far. 😢 And like any mom worth her salt, I'm saying that after having seen my fair share of shit, shitty days and even shittier nights. Sigh.


Firstly, I hate teaching. Like, I seriously hate it. It's not my thing. At all. I only do it because I have to. Because I want my kids to succeed in life. And not be the dumb-dumb of the class. But because of this, JZ hates me. He said something really nasty to me and broke my heart in the process. 💔


Secondly, I don't like dealing with people. I really don't. Just about as much as I hate teaching. But with two boys in the house, I perpetually have to step in to break up fights and put out fires. At this age, JJ is usually the culprit. #terribletwos and all that, right? So, he gets punished for it. But because of that, JJ hates me. He punched me in the face 3 times last night, thus, shattering what was left of my already-broken heart. 💔💔


I have come to hate the mom I have to be in order to raise intelligent, kind, good kids. It's really not the mom I want to be or am on the inside. I'm not naturally military about bedtime. Nor am I driven to have them outperform their peers. I'm also not at all particular about them having to read, write and count by age 3 like all the other kiasu supermoms out there. That's just not me. I just do it because I have to.


Thing is, in spite of all my efforts, I feel like the kids are just so unappreciative and ungrateful. 😢 Worse, they end up hating me for it! 😭 I really don't see how much worse it can get from here on out. Sigh. I guess I'm just feeling really unaccomplished as a mom today lah. 😞

And The Husband knows it.

So he took the morning off and brought me

for some really sinful comfort food today. 🍔🍗🍟

KFC Zinger Burger + Hot & Spicy Rib + French Fries.

Felt much better after that. ☺️

The Husband boasted, "See, only your Husband can make you feel happy again," with a face so smug I just cannot. And just as I was on the brink of scoffing at his remark, he continued, "...anyway that's my job, right? To keep you happy." AWWW... 💏

Impromptu Date Night

A long overdue one at that. Haha.

But with two kids under 5 and no gramps in town to help with the babysitting, it really ain't no surprise. As it is, tonight is already a blue-moon miracle. LOL. I can confidently say that we put off going to the movies about... I dunno... 20 billion times? 😳😅😂 Hahahaha. ANYHOO...

Sleepy eyes, home specs, bad hair – DON'T CARE. Let's Logan!

Easy Or Not Easy? That Is The Question.

It's not easy being married. Heck, being married is like running a three-legged race through life with one person perpetually by your side! Seeing the same person – the same face – every single day. Dealing with the same issues – the same problems – day in and day out. After awhile, things creep in. It starts with the little things. It always does. Air-con temp. Chicken or fish. Who turns off the lights. Trivial stuff of little to no importance, really. But then, over time, the issues grow. They get bigger – more intense – usually when the severity and importance of the issue intensifies, too.

The Husband and I are not exempt

from this phenomenon that strikes couples

young and old, everywhere around the world.

We have our disagreements here and there every now and again. Over his idea of what I do versus mine – I consider myself a WFHM but I think he considers me a SAHM. Over the way we raise our kids – bedtime, nutrition, exercise, schooling, argh! Even the bible and theology – even though we're both Christians who grew up in the same church! Imagine that! And yes, after all this time, we still cannot agree when it comes to whether the room is too hot or too cold. LOL.

It's been over 5 years, 4 months and 2 weeks.

Almost 15 years from when we first started dating.

Yes, we've come a pretty long way!

But if you think it's all chores and arguments and blah-ness throughout all those years, you're wrong. The Husband can work me up like no one can but he can also make me feel so much better than anyone can. I started off having a really bad day but here are 6 ways The Husband turned it right around and, in turn, gained a couple of brownie points for himself (plus this blog post). Haha.

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1. He asked me, "What can I do to help?"

Today was one of those days when I had sooo many things to do that I just felt so overwhelmed by everything. Every single thing was going wrong with the house. The blocked sink x 5, the spraying tap, the spoilt heater, the leaking hose – OMG, OMG, OMG! And then there was work. So many things to do! Which is usually a good thing that I wouldn't complain about but everything just needed my immediate attention and I just couldn't get through to the operator today and didn't have time to wait. And then there was the kids. Mommy this! And Mommy that! And Mommy, Didi did this! And boo hoo hoo, let's all cry together and drive Mommy crazy! I also had a bunch of stuff to prepare for JZ's upcoming birthday this Saturday and I just didn't have the time to sit down and work on anything properly. Sigh. O-v-e-r-w-h-e-l-m-e-d MAXIMUM. T_T

2. He took charge and got in touch with a difficult vendor for me. 

Birthday party problems. Ugh. Resign already still must work right? Immediately cuci tangan meh?? Anyway, this is the first year I had to deal with vendors cos I usually DIY and throw home parties. And OMG, I can only conclude that I HATE DEALING WITH PEOPLE. 

3. He appreciated my effort.

This was in reference to the plumber who came to fix everything that was wrong in the house.

3. He bought me Thai Iced Tea from Boat Noodles. 

I was craving for it and he got me just what I wanted. Even helped me look for a bathroom to pee before we bought me my drink. LOL #uselessatdirections After that he bought me a burger, too. And some curly fries. Who says food only works with men? Haha. 

4. He drove me home.

I was so tired that I just felt like I couldn't last the drive home safely so he upped and drove me and the boys straight home. No second thoughts. 

5. He offered to give me a massage. "No charge," he said. 

I was struggling with a headache and some head heaviness after all that running around, coupled with a brand new flu bug, and he YLEO-ed my headache away with Stress Away and M-Grain. Not bad la his kanghu. After that I really felt much, much better. Best part was that he didn't even rush through it. Just took his time and did his thang. Haha. Gotta take advantage of this skill he's got and get him to massage me more next time! =p

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So, yes. It may not be easy being married to the same man for 5 years. But The Husband sure makes it feel so easy for me on days such as these. =)

And Now We're 5

Not literally though. Relax. Not ready for THAT ship to sail yet. Am still paying instalment on the last two "ships" we "bought". LOL. #funnybutnotfunny

I actually spent the day doing exactly what I would have done on any other regular Saturday – doing nothing worth remembering in the greater scheme of things, and yet physically, mentally and emotionally feeling like I've just spent the day doing more than I can remember.


Having two kids and a looong holiday is no joke, man. I'm just knackered day in and day out. Doesn't help that the kids picked up some kind of virus a week back so it's been nightly fevers + running noses + thickening mucous + phlegmy coughs + midnight tantrums + fussy fellas... OMG I CANNOT TAKE IT!!! -__-'''''

So anyhew... just 5 years down the road

and The Husband and I already be like:

"Can postpone celebration ah?"

Seriously. Cos... Romance?

What's that after kids, right? Haha.

Truth be told, we're all down with the kids' mutated virus that just refuses to die. That and, more relevantly, babysitters are nowhere to be found within 350km radius of us and our two kiddos so... bye-bye anniversary celebrations. See you in October. Maybe. (Yeah, no kidding when I say it's a looong postponement. -_-')


Anyhoo, I thought we could make this year a little more special since it's our 5th (read: wooden) anniversary and all but I guess... it wasn't gonna be a magical-wood-found-deep-within-the-Enchanted-Forest kind of celebration for us. More like dead-wood-found-floating-on-the-Dead-Sea, as it turns out. LOL.


I'll update come October. IF October happens, that is. (I deeply suspect it's never gonna. T_T) In the mean time, The Husband says this *points below* is his anniversary gift to me this year.

Guess it's better than unwrapping

a vacuum cleaner anniversary gift, right? =p

Yep, Imma count my blessings.

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Happy 5th Anniversary, Honey.

Pandan Sponge Cake from House, BSC.

I'm thankful it's you I share

moist Pandan Sponge Cakes with.

Today, tomorrow and always.

XOXO,

Pam Song

My Problem With The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

The Husband posted that status update a few days ago. As you can see, it got many likes. BUT... it is inaccurate. Mummy is #1 la. Trust me. I tested it out, ok. He likes me more than Mickey Mouse. Nevertheless, we're not here to talk about my husband's inaccuracies. I'm here to talk about Disney's inaccuracies.


See, the Disney Junior channel is celebrating Mickey and Minnie's birthday throughout the month of November. Apparently, their birthday falls on 18 November every year. Yes, BOTH of them. TOGETHER.

???

How can?! Are they twins or what now??

But then... wait. Aren't they boyfriend and girlfriend, too??

OMG, what is Disney subliminally teaching our kids???

So, I got to thinking and here's what I have to say about the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse programme that goes on the Disney Junior channel at 7PM daily:

1. Mickey and Minnie share the same birth date... and a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, too? So, are they family or are they a couple? Twin incest ah???

2. Goofy and Pluto are both dogs but one can walk upright and talk, the other can't. Why ah? Such inequality!

3. And if Goofy's a dog, why the heck is he dating Clarabelle COW??? Interspecies mating?!

4. Daisy and Donald are two dating ducks. How come one has no problem speaking clearly and the other one clearly has a speaking problem???

5. And why doesn't Donald ever wear pants but always covers himself from the waist down whenever he appears in a towel??

Disney, why your characters so senget wan?!

Later my son watch already then confused, how??