Wednesday 30 July 2008

Bon Voyage, daddy...


30 July 2008

The sad day finally arrives... Daddy's flight is at 12.20 noon, and so daddy leaves home at around 10.30 in the morning. The final few hours that we spent with daddy after we woke up seems very short.. But that didn't stand in mummy's way in creating delicious scones for daddy to bring home. From what I remember, the last time daddy went home alone in May, mummy made delicious cookies. It's really great when your mummy loves to bake (and is good at it... hehehe...). Trust me, I know!

Anyway, we said our good-byes and watched daddy drive away in a taxi. We were very brave and neither Safiya nor myself shed any tear, except for one moment when Safiya didn't want daddy to let her go. Apart from that, the separation went well. Daddy, we can't wait to see you back in Brisbane end of this September. For now, we'll keep in touch on the webcam, alright?

From us in Brisbane: WE MISS YOU A LOT!

Hehehe... Take care daddy!

A big hug before daddy leaves...


Daddy in the taxi


Bye-bye... See, we didn't cry!


Ehem.... Here is the recipe for the delicious scones mummy made this morning. Some tips from mummy, handle the dough lightly and minimise the use of flour during kneading and rolling. Good luck!



SULTANA SCONES

Ingredients:

30 gm butter, chopped
150 ml milk
2 cups self-raising flour
1/3 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup sultanas
1 egg (beaten)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C.
2. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until all the butter has become crumbs. It helps when there is no chunky butter left... so it helps when the butter is cut into small pieces.
3. Put in the sultanas and sugar to the flour and mix well.
4. Make a well in the centre. Mix the egg and milk, and pour into the well, leaving about a few tablespoons for glazing. Mix using a knife lightly.
5. Transfer the dough onto a floured board (use self-raising flour) and knead lightly. Sprinkle flour as you knead if necessary but remember, too much flour can make the dough too stiff.
6. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until about 2 cm thick and make round scones using a cookie cutter. Glaze the top with the remaining butter and milk mixture.
7. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
8. Serve warm with butter (and jam if desired).

It's not that hard, yea?

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Last day with daddy around ... for now

29 July 2008

Sadly, it's our last day with daddy today, for now that is.. Daddy is flying home to Brunei tomorrow.. Anyway, the sadness didn't stop us from having a great time together. At around 11 in the morning, we drove to Fortitude Valley to return our rental car and it was good of them to drop us off at the city. We spent around 3 hours there, where mummy and daddy did some last minute shopping. After lunch at 2 pm we boarded the bus and went home since mummy had to attend class at 4 pm.

After a quick rest and freshening up, we walked mummy to the university as usual. Later, we again went to Guyatt Park to spend our 'last' afternoon with daddy. Oh daddy, why do you have to leave? We'll miss you terribly! And we know you'll miss us too...

At the city... Safiya was asleep and it was good to have the extra stroller for me to sit on, and so Safiya can have the space all to herself.


We stopped by the City Hall for a quick peek.


While at the city, we met with a couple of daddy's friends. They were in Brisbane for 5 days to play golf at the Gold Coast. That must have been fun!


Climbing the pavement at mummy's lecture building


Bye-bye mummy... Have fun in class!


Hehehe... a quick pose before we leave the uni


At Guyatt Park.. Safiya usually didn't want to play with this ride, but not today!


"Hmmm... should I try the swing too?"


Opppsss... maybe not!


Us and our favourite slide.. Yippppeeeee!

Monday 28 July 2008

Factory Outlet shopping

28 July 2008

Last day having the car for the whole day... We didn't actually have plans for the day because daddy and mummy's main aim is only to go to Bunnings and IKEA... But clever daddy made some research and map reading, and found the suburb called Jindalee where a factory outlet is located. There are also lots of stores around, so it's definitely worth going to... and it was! We did lots of shopping at DFO and mummy was very happy that she managed to buy baby presents for Wawa. Nini bini, she must also be very happy buying three handbags by Guess! Hehehe...

After shopping at DFO, we stopped by the nearby Coles supermarket, and bought lots of groceries. I guess mummy and daddy wants to make use of the car. Usually it's difficult to do lots of groceries at one time since we take a bus home, or sometimes even walk. Imagining carrying a big bottle of cooking oil for example on foot! Hehehe...

And then later, we drove to Fortitude Valley to buy a 25 kilograms packet of rice. We were just in time, the Chinese shop was 5 minutes to closing time. Really lucky! Anyway, here are the pictures, as usual!

Direct Factory Outlet. Australia's version of outlet shopping... The brands are different from the outlets that we went in the United Kingdom except for some, but it's equally worth it.


Here's where we bought the presents for Wawa's baby... To Wawa, stop staring at the pictures, the present we bought for you is not there! You'll just have to wait and see! Hehehe!


A quick lunch at DFO. Thanks to the gentleman who volunteered to take our picture without our request.


Two trolleys... Full of groceries


Hehehe... I told you we bought a lot!


The 25 kilograms jasmine rice. Not sure if it will last until December.. Hehehe...


Daddy also bought this stroller from Coles as a back up. Believe it or not, it's only $AU20.00!

Sunday 27 July 2008

IKEA... we meet again!

27 July 2008

Today, we set out for our shopping adventure at IKEA in Logan, Brisbane. Thankfully it's only a 20 minutes drive from home, so the journey is not tiring at all. Hehehe... we definitely did lots of shopping especially for our new house. Nini laki and nini bini are also of no exception, they also bought quite a lot (especially nini bini, that is!)

After IKEA, we also went to the neighbouring shopping complex, the Logan Mega Centre. Bought more stuff too, and nini bini took the chance to shop for her medications at the Pharmacy Warehouse store. Take a look at our pictures taken today... enjoy!

Before our journey... taking picture in front of our rental car outside our house.


The IKEA store from a distance


All ready for shopping at IKEA!


Pictures of us shopping at IKEA


This picture is taken from the adjoining Logan Mega Centre.


Our last stop for the day...

Saturday 26 July 2008

First day with rented car

26 July 2008

Daddy and mummy apparently had lots of planning before daddy's trip back home this coming Wednesday... most of which is shopping for our new house in Brunei. As such, to make shopping easier, we are renting a car again starting today for 3 days. However, unlike the last time, now mummy chooses a bigger car to have more space. It proved useful today after all that shopping at Bunnings Warehouse and Harvey-Norman! Hehehe... I guess more shopping again tomorrow!

At the car hire office... Sadly the car is not in its perfect shape. Daddy says that the person renting the car before us hit a kangaroo!


We crossed a bridge on the way. Nice!


At Bunnings Warehouse... Definitely lots of shopping!


We got hungry, so we had a picnic in the car.


Last stop before going home...

Friday 25 July 2008

Family roster at my school

25 July 2008

It's a good thing my foot got better. I went to school again today, and the more fun part is that daddy is on roster today. Nevertheless, mummy and Safiya decided to stay back to lend a hand, and it made it into a 'family roster' instead! I'm really glad that daddy could spare his time to spend the whole day at school with me today (except for the hour during the Friday prayers) because all this while he can only see pictures that mummy took. It's a really rare opportunity since he only visits us once in a while, so it's an experience to treasure!

As usual, I had lots of activities, and we definitely have lots of pictures to share with you. Enjoy!

Daddy's first duty on roster.. helping to arrange the library books


Outdoor playing


Painting time.. Even Safiya showed off her talent

We built train tracks again like yesterday, and this time daddy is around to help out if any track falls apart! Hehehe... Daddy to the rescue!



Safiya playing pretend with the telephone, and that doll was too heavy for her to carry.. Good thing that's not a real baby!


Safiya plays at the doll house with Evee


Story time... I'm really glad daddy could be with me today ... I could sit on his lap!


Uhh-ohh! A scary scarecrow...

At tea time... We also celebrated the advanced birthday of my friend Lauchlan, and everyone gets a small birthday cake, and everyone also gets to blow out the candle! Really good idea especially in kindergarten, when having a big birthday cake would be quite a hassle...



Afterwards, we had crumbles all over the place, so small birds flew down to feed. Helpful Safiya then grabs a broom and 'cleans up' the floor.



Safiya gets into a playhouse (perfect height for her) with Lauchlan and Evee


A group project ... Good collaboration, ehhh?

At music time ... I had a blast, and of course Safiya too!


Well, that's all for now... hope you enjoyed my school time!