Suzette's Parenting and Breastfeeding Blog

This year’s X’mas party’s theme was “Bling-Bling”…

As usual, I tried to put effort to dress in theme. Not trying to win anything, but to support the organizer. I did this every year and won a couple of best dressed according to theme.

Last year’s “Seductive Christmas Party” was a disaster for me, coz they ended up very cheapskate doing those sexy pole dance thingy, which I refused and walked out of it.

Unlike previous years, beginning last year the organizers would select a few nominees and then insult these people on stage, before awarding the best dressed award. Last year, I accepted the outcome as the theme was “seductive” and I wasn’t seductive (if the definition is to be able to make sexy seductive pole dance or revealing more ‘meat’).

But this year, it was completely a turn off. I actually have a workshop that day and went straight to the party after the workshop. I thought this is an easy theme and everyone would be wearing their bling-bling stuff, but turned out I think I was the most bling-bling girl in the party.

But as it turned out… I was quite disappointed. Again they nominated 3 persons, and yours trully was one of them. The other 2 nominees has NOTHING bling-bling on them. They gave us some time to ‘upgrade’ ourselves with more blings. At the end, they still had no bling-blings.

Then, the MC asked all of us to make seductive dance, posing the most sexy and seductive pose that we have ever made in our life.

I can’t believe they turned this into the same stuff – SEDUCTIVE/SEXY again?! Same thing, I refused, but just did a normal cat walk.

The result was – they gave the award to the same ‘seductive woman’ last year, as she was so gungho hugging dancing with the guys on the dance floor.

This party is just so cheapskate. But I hate myself too. I should have just left the party the moment I hear them nominating 3 persons. Previous years, they just announced who is the winner, without having to insult anynoe on the stage/floor.

Since this is my final X’mas party in this company, I just keep my mouth shut. I can’t say “I’m not going to dress up any more” kind of quotes. LOL!

Seriously, why would these people insult people who put effort to dress up? In my previous companies, they did a ‘turkey award’ to people who don’t dress up, instead of the other way round. Anyway, it is none of my business any more.

I tend to give my children breads in the morning, and never give that for other meals. Our sandwich is always the boring ones – 2 pcs of bread with different fillings. Breads – either toasted or not. Fillings – cheddar cheese or jam.

Yesterday I went to Tesco and saw some pita breads. I decided to give my kids a change of taste.

This afternoon’s lunch was Pita Sandwich.

I let them choose whether to have Tuna or Mayo Egg as fillings. Both chosed Tuna. I didn’t expect them to like this thing, but it turned out with very good response. Very simple and yummy. They ate this within the shortest time, breaking the records. I didn’t have to remind them to chew and swallow. LOL! I think they just like to see some food that looks like ‘pockets’.

On Christmas Eve, I planned to order pizza and bake a cheese cake for our dinner. I finally found my missing cookbook during the packing for our move!

Our Christmas ‘feast’ became disaster when…
- our pizza was 1 hour late
- my cheese cake is 1 day late

LOL! Long time didn’t bake, I forgot that it needs 2 hours baking time, and needs to be chilled before applying apricot glaze, and needs to be chilled further before consumption. And I started the process at 3pm!! So, it was finally ready for consumption on Christmas day itself.

Anyhow, this is the most successful attempt I have on the Cheese Cake…

It is so rich that actually 1 pc should be shared instead of eaten by 1 person.

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS
(A)
1 kilo cream cheese
300 grams castor sugar (I reduced to 250g)
4 small eggs
100g double cream
1 lemon rind (grated)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

(B)
120 grams crushed biscuits
120 grams melted butter
(mixed together)

METHOD
1. Cream the cheese and sugar together and slowly add in the eggs. Then add in the grated lemon rind and juice. Finally add in the double cream.
2. Pour the mixture into a lined and floured 9″ round tin with (B) at the bottom.
3. Bake at 150C for 2 hours over a tray of water.
4. When cooked, chill and demould, then glaze the top with apricot glaze.

At first I thought I screwed up the cake. Almost towards the end, the tray of water where my cake tin was inside, has traces of oil. When I took it out, I then realized that there is a hole at the bottom of the aluminium foil – water sipped in!!

I imagined that the cake is smeared at the bottom due to that leak. But it turned out okay. Whew!

Ever since we moved into this new neighbourhood, we have been very crazy about cycling. This area is so condusive for cycling. Charsiu and Aiyu moved in before us, and have already enjoyed this for months.

Just before Christmas, DH bought this bike for me:

He texted me when I was in my final Christmas party in the company (ya, lost my job, in few months have to leave!). He asked me whether I wanted red or black bicycle. LOL! I couldn’t imagine how they look, so asked him to make decision.

He chose the black one for me. So, now I am the only one with black bike, amongst the 4 of us. All the 3 of them have red bike. LOL!

I didn’t have the chance to ride until when I got a chance on Tuesday this week. After Isabel napped, I sneaked out to ride a round. I was so thrilled to feel the wind and the speed, but didn’t really know how to use it.

Then on Christmas, Aiyu and Charsiu invited me to join them (DH looked after the kids in the morning. Thanks DH! Mmmm, muak!). Thanks to the couple, I know a little about biking now. :p

I am so, so, so… UNFIT! Riding a little already feel so tired. Hahahaha!

I am hoping that I will get more exercise with new healthier lifestyle. Also hope that I will cook more often. Already improved from last year but still very lousy. LOL!

Due to the house moving, I have been too busy to buy presents. I bought my presents for the 2 kids last month, when I took a day off on my birthday. They are really cheap stuff, less than 10 Ringgit each, and the kids love them very much!

Here is Ian’s present – boardgame set, with 15 games:

All this while, he has been playing alone, not knowing how to play with others. I have been looking for games for 2 or more players, and until this age only I dare to buy boardgame (previously too young to understand).

And this is Isabel’s present – ‘beauty set’, since she really like to play with my accessories. LOL!

Here is ‘Santa Claus’s present’ – Trampoline! Finally got it from Direct Access on Monday.

They love it, but…. LOL they don’t know how to jump! They played with it for a while and got bored with it. :p I will continue to encourage them to play with it.

Hmm… while I tried on this trampoline, I realized one serious problem I have. My pelvic floor is terribly weak! During jumping sessions, urine could flow out uncontrolably. This is all due to birth giving, and because I didn’t know I have this problem, I did not really exercise that mussle. Good to realize now than too late…

DH’s presents were late, due to busy with house moving as well. Isabel got a Barbie doll (in Rapunzel), and Ian got a Doraemon (which he doesn’t like at all!). No photos, lazy to shoot now… :p