A Tribute to Ruri: Muffin Ruri

Ruri did not create this muffin. But she generously shared the recipe with us, NCC members. For that, she showed us what a kind and generous person she was. And for that, we call this recipe, Muffin Ruri.

I did not personally know Ruri just like I did not personally know Inong, but in the virtual net, the world has become such a small place.

I made Wilton Klappertart, another recipe that she shared with us, for my christmas gathering last year. Her muffin recipe is my favorite that I will bake over and over again. I read her blog, learned from her experiences too.

I shared the same pain that other members felt when we found out that she has succumbed to cancer early this month. My heart goes out to the two little girls that she left behind, who have to grow up missing their mother in their lives. I baked this muffin in the memory of her. And I know that in the subsequent Muffin Ruri baking session, I'll always remember this kind and special lady.

Requiscat in Pace, Ruri!

Treasure Hunt

For  those people who outbid me in Ebay, eat your heart out. I got this book from Amazon at half the price, and since it was shipped to US address, I saved on shipping cost as well *evil grin*

                                  

I got the translated version of Hilda Boswell's Treasury of Children's Stories from my mother when I was six years old. It was my first sophisticated book, since it had small fonts and each page contained more than few sentences, very complicated for children my age at that time. I liked it, but did not appreciate it until few years later. By then, the book was getting old, damaged to the spine, some pages torn and loose, thanks to those people who borrowed it and thought that they could just abuse it since the book was not theirs. 

I preserved whatever left of the book, kept it well in my bookshelf, until much later. I wanted to buy the second copy, but the book has been out of print. I also brought my beloved copy to Singapore.

Hilda Boswell personally selected and illustrated the stories in the book. The illustrations were beautiful. As a child, I was so fixated upon the illustration, characters from her books appeared in my dreams. The lovely illustration of fairies, princes and princesses, flowers and animals really enlivened the stories she has handpicked.

The stories were also as unforgettable, she has achieved her objective when she said in her foreword, "...but the sort of stories that stick in your memory--that you are drawn back to time and time again." I can't tell which one is my favorites, I love so many of them. I love Our Field, Through The Fire, The Story of Fairyfoot, to name a few. And the image of Tom of Water Babies, swimming together with the fishes, or little David Copperfield sitting by the window sill in the moonlit night, still lingers in my mind. 

I tried to find the english copy of this book, but I guess, never did try hard enough. I remember I was browsing through the children section in Dymock in Sydney, but I could not find it.

Now that I have my children, I really want to share this book with them, especially with my daughter. Not trying to be sexist, I believe my daughter will come to treasure this book better than my son. And there went my hunt for this book.

Kinokuniya and Borders have confirmed that this book was no longer available in the market. At that time, the idea of buying used book did not appeal to me. I bought a lot of used books before, but those were romance novels. I doubted I could find used copy that was still in excellent condition, since this book was first published sometime in early seventies to early eighties.

But as I did more and more searches, I grew desperate. The book has gone out of print for quite sometime. I could only find used book copies in the net.

So I made up my mind, I would buy even a used copy, so that I could read the original versions of the stories so close to my heart to my children. I went to Amazon UK, a mistake, since most of the marketplace book sellers did not do international shipping. I went to E-bay, found a copy, place a bid, so confident of winning, and found out that I was not the only one eyeing for this book. I did not take the outbidding well. Especially since the book was auctioned in British Pound currency, the book became so expensive for me. At most I would just pay for $15, since I still needed to pay a lot for the shipping cost as well. Since then, I learned that Hilda Boswell has many fans still searching for her books who's willing to pay high prices for her used copy books. And I am just a fan, but I will not pay excessively silly price for her book as I still have the other copy at home.

After being outbid in E-bay for many times, I found out that Y was about to visit US for business. He got me an address of his colleague that I could send the book too. I was still hopeful of winning a copy that I bid in E-bay. By the time I found out that I was getting outbid again (although I have raised my bid to $20), I was so fed up. I went to Amazon, and at that instant, bought a copy at US$5. In the description, it was described as very good with minor dents, but clean copy appeared never read.

From US, Y sent me a text message, "The inside is very good, some scratches at the cover, but barely noticeable". I sighed with relief, I have not been had by the Amazon marketplace seller. I turned into an eager child when Y came back from his trip (which was few hours ago) and handed me the book. It is really a treasure. The copy has some minor dents at the cover and its spine, but the pages really are excellent. They are as good as new. My daughter was also equally excited about the book, because I've been telling her that this copy will be hers, and she just loves story book. I don't really intend to let her know that she can only own the book when she's old enough to drive a car, so that she can appreciate this book too.

Meanwhile, I just want to share the news with the whole world, "I am now a proud owner of (another) Hilda Boswell's Treasury of Children's Stories!" And this book is indeed a treasure!

So, the next one in line...Hilda Boswell's Treasury of Poetry?

 

Busy Bee August (Part 3) : Home will be where the heart is

I was told

Ev'ry day in my childhood:

Even when we grow old

Home will be where the heart is

Never were words so true

My heart's far, far away

Home is too

Home - from Beauty and the Beast, The Musical

Part of my busy bee August was because I had to go back home twice in 2 weeks time. In both weeks, I went to Jakarta on Tuesday, stayed in Dharmawangsa Hotel until Friday, where I actually had a chance to visit home and spent a night there and went back to Singapore on Saturday. Tiring, yes. But it's a chance for me to visit home!

People always commented when they found out that I was about to go back to Jakarta for my business trip, "Oh, you are going home!" Is it really?

Something that they have forgotten to take into account; when it's business trip, it's not really home. I did not stay in my childhood home. I had to stay in a hotel. My trip is about work, work, and more work. Oh, did I mention traffic jam? I may sound someone with the nose so stuck up in the air when I write about traffic jam in Jakarta (either you live with it, or you migrate to other country). As much as I hate it, after years of training, I just learn to live with it. When I am in Jakarta, just blame everything to traffic, but don't complain about it. In Kota Singa, I can always complain about how bad traffic is and how government fail to control the car population even with the ever increasing ERP charges.

But is Jakarta still home for me? My parents house is still my home, and nothing will change that. My room is still there, although I can't use it anymore since my mother has handed it over to the heir of the throne and I had to use my sister's room now. But the sense of familiarity, the smell of home, is really something priceless. Knowing that I've got a place that I really belong to, when everything else fails me! But then, home is not really home when it comes to Jakarta. Traffic congestion was killer! And the sight of children begging or people asking money at the traffic light junction is something that I've never gotten used to since I was young. Although I also define home as a place to get good and cheap lulur massage and creambath as well as good and cheap shopping spree in Mangga Dua. And home is where I can get nice pempek palembang, rujak bebek and my favourite kolak pisang. Not to mention, nice affordable restaurant that's so rare in Singapore.

But over the years, I've also come to love this "fine city". It has never been love at the first sight. Although, when I first came to the city, there was this sense of euphoria of being in the new place, exploring something new. But then the euphoric feeling did not last, and I missed home terribly. Especially after I had my children. I wanted them to be brought up in the place where I spent my childhood, to be brought up the way I was brought up. I just wanted to go back and stayed in Jakarta, where it's home.

But, slowly, there's this feeling of attachment that comes from the fine city. Maybe it's from the way I can walk leisurely on the streets, knowing that the chance of someone mugging me is very slim. Or maybe because of the friendship with the people here that I have made over the years. Or how I can physically blend in the society where I can proudly announce, "I am chinese!" and did not get the racist stare! (my racist stare only came later, when people find out that the chinese looking lady, does not speak chinese, but speaks fluent bahasa indonesia -- so I don't know which one is worse). But I've started to love this city, and now I have adopted this city as my second home, without feeling guilty about having two homes.

Belle said that home should be where the heart is. So, I split my heart into two and put them in the two countries I call home.

In August, where both my homes celebrate the national day and independence day, respectively, I came up with the strawberry shortcake. Its red and white tone just matched well with the flags from both countries.

I have posted the recipe for the cake, since I bought a Japanese recipe book with gorgeous pictures of cakes (yes, it's written in Japanese). And I took pain to translate the recipe for this cake. For that effort, I believe I should be rewarded with something as simple as sharing the recipe with other people.

Happy birthday to both of my homes!

Nothing lasts, nothing holds

All of me

My heart's far, far away

Home and free

Busy Bee August (Part 2) : Adventure of a non-adventurer

"I thought you said you did not want to go to the forest!"
"I am not going to the forest, I am going to Pekanbaru!"
"What do you think Pekanbaru is? It's a forest!"

I was sort of cursing and swearing about going to Pekanbaru. The thing is, I am not so keen on going any business trips. Because business trip means changes from my daily routine. And on top of that, I just hate packing and unpacking my things. Lame excuse, but it's so true. And I also heard about the forest fire in Pekanbaru. So, that's it. Pekanbaru is a forest, with raging forest fire.
Still I had no choice. I've got a guest that I need to accompany, and so I reluctantly went for this trip. I consoled myself, it's a short trip, less than 2 days.

I left Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, and reached PB in the early evening, before the sun set, so I still managed to get glimpse of PB before the darkness set in.

So, how's PB? 

"Pekanbaru is a two-time Adipura Award winner!" boasted the driver who sent me to the hotel.  I understood why he was so proud of his city. The city was very clean. He continued to explain that there were two shifts of road cleaners employed to maintain the city's cleanliness. Having spent most of my time in big cities, it was a nice break to see smaller town. 

I had my visual feast on the city on the way to the hotel from the airport.

this is the picture I took from the hotel window

I stayed on Aryadutta Hotel. Supposedly the best hotel in the city. I've got no complain, but my travel companion, from the same company, was busy making phone calls to move us to another hotel. He told me that Aryadutta Hotel was too quiet for his liking. Due to some security approval, we still ended up in the same hotel.

Dinner was at Jalansutra's acclaimed Restoran Anom. Supposedly one of the best chinese restaurant in PB, Resto Anom was famous for its Udang Telor Asin (Salted Yolk Prawn). The dish itself was disappointing, it was runny with very mild salted yolk taste. The other dishes were not too bad, good review from the rest of our group. As our host (who came from Jakarta) explained, it's famous in PB, but we could not compare it to Jakarta's chinese food restaurant. I'll give them 3/5 rating.

No picture of the food from Resto Anom, as I was too hungry and busy eating to my heart's content

We went to Kerinci, another town close to PB, about an hour drive to meet one of our customers and to check on illegal logging business (??!). The road to Kerinci was narrow and winding. We've also got to be wary as there were wild Sumatran tigers abound.

Wild Sumatran Tiger

I would not live up to my non-adventurer tittle if I did take too many pictures of PB or Kerinci in that matter. Believe it or not, rather than enjoying the scene of a new place, I was either chatting with my travel companion or busy sleeping.

And there went my full day of PB and Kerinci. I also found out that equator line actually passed through PB. Too bad, I did not get to see the monument as we traveled to the opposite direction.

Some pictures that showed that indeed PB has forest to prove my colleague's words. No, I did not go to the forest, but the logs & chipped woods came from the forest.

So, that's the end of the adventure for me. I am still not looking forward to this kind of adventure in the future. But, I have to admit that it was quite fun. At least I did not encounter something nasty in the forest, and, oh, I did not go to the forest at all.

Busy Bee August (Part 1) : Communication Cram

I don't know how other people can keep up with blogging. For one, I admire the time that they can spend on blogging. Maybe it's poor time management on my part, or just the lame excuse, but honestly, I just do not have time to update this blog. And I live in the lion country, where internet connection is considered superior. I just can't imagine, living in a place, where internet speed is as big a problem as the traffic congestion, and spending my time uploading data to update my blog.

Those people must have had plenty of time and patience on their hands.

When I see those people who can work, get their degree, sell cakes online, be a mother to young children, really it's a two-thumbs up for them. They inspire me, but I just can't find the self-discipline to follow their path in multi-tasking. It's just me and my lackadaisical life, perhaps.  Maybe because I spend most of my free time reading cooking books and watching korean/taiwan/japanese/local singapore drama. But, hey, I need something for relaxation too, right?

Okay, so let's start to count how busy I've been this month. I started out this month with some communication cram. I am not a good communicator when it comes to public speaking. So I thought I can improve on that.  A proactive step on my part to embrace on public speaking skills.

Firstly, I signed up for Toastmaster Club in my company. A decision that I later regretted  since I then found out (after I signed up) that my VP will come to watch how we are doing as well. That's pressurizing. But then, during my observation session, I had my fun watching others delivered their short presentation, although with the level of skills that they have, I wonder why they still need to attend Toastmaster Club. They just made me feel very nervous about my own presentation when I have to do it later. But, oh well, I guess, I just need to find some courage and do it. Besides, TC comes with free lunch, and that's enough motivation for me to sign up for the membership. 

Secondly, I also attended some communication class. Communication in 4 Dimensions, held by SIM. I was not too impressed with the course. It's a 3-day course, and the trainer was busy trying to prove that there were 4 dimensions in communication. Which I have not problem accepting. I mean, she should know something that I do not, that's why she's the trainer, and I am just the lazy participant. I just want to know, how to apply these 4 dimensions to improve the communication. However, this is nice course to do when you want to get away from your daily mundane office routines. I had fun watching clips of movies, refreshing "The Secret" knowledge, learning about short exercise that you can do for 5 minutes a day, as well as meeting new friends during the course. And since the course was held in a hotel, the buffet lunch and tea breaks were above average. But I will not recommend this course to people who really want to improve their communication skills. In fact, I find that TC is better tools to improve communication, particularly in public speaking. 

So, am I a better communicator now? Still plenty of room for me to improve and plenty of opportunities for me that I can use to practice. And until the next TC meeting, I just hope that I will not be the one who has to do the ice breaker!

Constant Change

I attended a farewell dinner for some colleagues who move on to new jobs. Three of them are posted in China, and another one is leaving the company for good, for better opportunity. It was a nice farewell dinner together.

I do not really have the opportunity to spend time with my colleagues outside work. This kind of farewell dinner is not cheap. Besides, as a working mother, I just feel guilty that I do not spend enough time with my children, yet I have time for other people. So, it's really rare occasion that I go out and join my colleagues for dinner out with them.

But, this time around, it just makes perfect sense since it's the farewell of 3 people at the cost of one dinner. So, economics of scale applied here, and the dinner cost was averaged down significantly. And one colleague is someone that I work with (albeit indirectly) for quite sometime.
And I can only say, it's really fun to mingle with the colleagues.
I have to say that I enjoyed this dinner. Seeing the people I spend most of my time with in a different limelight. Some of them really turned into wild party animals. Amazing!!!
The thing that saddened me was since the dinner served as farewell to our colleagues.

I am a creature of routines, and I do not adapt well to changes. So, I really have mixed feelings about seeing the people I know move on to their new endeavor. True, for them it is better opportunity. But still, I just hate not seeing them in the office, or establish new working relationship with other people. I just hate changes!
And since early this year, there has been many changes, even in my team. One by one, people start to leave, and new faces come in. I guess, it's true, the only thing that remains constant in life is change.
Still...so sad to let them go..