08.08.08

I'm sure the whole world is now focusing attention to Beijing, China for the Olympic Games. Last night, at 10.00 pm Brisbane time, we all waited in front of the television to watch the live broadcast of the opening ceremony. It's really amazing! It really shows how much China had prepared for the games, not only by building mega-structures like the Bird's Nest stadium, but also in training thousands of people to create such beautiful performances. It's just sad that my country, Brunei Darussalam is not taking part in the historic event!

Nevertheless, we're very proud to learn that His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei had consented to attend the reception ceremony hosted by the President of China in Beijing. Here are some pictures courtesy of the Information Department of Brunei Darussalam.

Apart from that, mummy found this website which features beautiful pictures of last night's ceremony. Below are a glimpse of some of the featured pictures, and you can watch more by clicking here.

Architect or engineer?

Recently during my birthday, I received small building blocks set as my present. On our trip back to Brisbane, mummy brought it along so that Safiya and I can be entertained while at home. I suddenly find myself in a deep interest in constructing with the blocks and made beautiful creations. Mummy took picture of every construction that I made. Now, it makes me wonder, perhaps I'll be an architect one day.. or perhaps an engineer like daddy! ... or who knows, maybe I'll follow mummy's footsteps and become a lawyer... hehehe... Oh well, we'll see how it goes. For now, I'll keep on mastering my skills... I know it will come in handy in the future!

Lucky you, here's a 'sneak peek' at my beautiful creations...

Lunch at Nando's

06 August 2008

For lunch today, we decided to give nini bini and mummy a break from cooking and went out to have lunch at the nearby halal Nando's restaurant. We had a big platter of grilled chicken and potato chips as a side meal. Especially for beloved daddy, these pictures are dedicated to you!

On our way back home...

New floor mat for our home

04 August 2008

After about half a month here in Brisbane during this winter season, it became apparent to us that our tiled floor can be very cold especially during early mornings and at nights. Mummy has been thinking of covering the floor with a carpet or rug, but I guess there are issues of transporting it home, and maintenance is also a concern.

Today, we all went to Toowong Village to do some shopping and sight-seeing, and mummy was happy to find an alternative for the floor cover. We ended up buying beautiful bamboo floor mats, which costs around AU$30 for a medium size, and AU$10 for a small size. Each floor mat is packed in individual zipper bag, and that makes storage and handling easy. The bonus: it's brown in colour, as daddy likes it! No more cold floors anymore!

Taking a picture with nini bini

Nini laki patiently waits as nini bini was searching through some jackets which were on sale.

Ourselves enjoying a quick rest, eating Kinder Bueno chocolates

The individual bag for the floor mat

The medium and small size bamboo floor mats. Thanks mummy!

Baby shower ceremony in Brunei

03 August 2008

The ceremony (commonly known in Brunei as 'Mandi Belawat') is usually held after the birth of a first baby. Both new mother and baby are anointed with powder paste ('bedak') and scented flower potpourri. Today afternoon in Brunei, such a ceremony was held for my cousin MUHAMMAD LIZAM WARIA (the new mother is daddy's younger sister). We didn't have the chance to join in the celebration, but considerate daddy has sent us some pictures.

To auntie Liza and uncle Zamry (thus the baby's name LiZam),
congratulations!

Trash & Treasure

02 August 2008

Miss B and nini bini

The Trash & Treasure event at my school was lots of fun.. In the morning at around 10.30, the whole family went there on foot. You will notice from the pictures below that I had my Superman costume on, just to add more fun to the interesting adventure. When we arrived, we were welcomed by a beautiful sight. The school and surrounding grounds were full of stalls selling diverse range of products ... and there were lots of people too!

We stopped by the cake stall, and all the cookies and cakes were a big hit! I guess St Thomas Riverview Kindy's cake stall has acquired some attention from the previous years in fund-raising events like we had today. The BBQ stall and fresh farm produce stall were making good sales too. And not to mention the Trash & Treasure... all those wonderful things donated by parents and friends ('trash' because they no longer need them) can indeed be a treasure to others. What a wonderful way to raise funds!

In the end, we have gained a new experience.. more memories to treasure for the rest of our lives... Especially to daddy, enjoy these pictures. Wish you were here!

The advertisement for the event

Pictures showing the Trash & Treasure stalls

This caught mummy's attention.. A portrait of Kramer from the sitcom, Seinfeld

There was a bouncer at school too, $3 per entry

It was lots of fun!

I know I can always play in the playground during school days, but the temptation is hard to resist with new friends around. In this picture, I was having a 'conversation' with one of the visitors...

A quick pose with my friend Maxx. I like his red hair (under that hat, that is)

We bought this veggie bag.. It costs AU$15 and it contains large portions of cauliflower, broccoli, apples, avocados and extra-huge potatoes.. Good value, and anything towards the school funds!

Making our way home... Safiya and I decided to walk the 2 kilometres home

Ohh, we needed a rest mid-way. Poor nini bini and her knee-joint pain

Along the way, we stumbled upon two lovely birds munching on the ground... and we ran after them! Look at the birds fly!

Our hard core oven

01 August 2008

What a good way to welcome the month of August... Mummy must have been busy in the kitchen today. I was at school from the morning, and when mummy picked me up in the afternoon, she brought with her some cakes and biscuits. Mummy said tomorrow my school is holding a big fund-raising event: Trash & Treasure. I'll let you know more about it tomorrow after the event, because frankly, we're very curious too!

Anyway, there will be a cake stall tomorrow, and parents are welcomed to donate cookies, muffins and cakes and the sales made will be put into the school's fund. Of course mummy would not like to miss out on this opportunity to create delicious cakes and biscuits! So, what did mummy make today?

Apart from her very delicious and repetitive winner Crunchy Nut & Oats Cookies, mummy tried out two new recipes. More information below...


CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Ingredients:
(Recipe courtesy of Nestle)

150g butter
1 cup cocoa powder
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 packet white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Line base of baking tray (tin) with baking paper.
2. Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder, allow to cool slightly.
3. Beat in eggs. Stir in sugar and vanilla.
4. Sift flour and baking powder together. Add to mixture and stir until mixed.
5. Stir through chocolate chips and then turn mixture into tin.
6. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until just firm when pressed in the centre. Leave in tin for 20 minutes before cooling it on a wire rack. When cold, cut into bars.



COFFEE AND CASHEW NUTS BAR

Ingredients:
(Recipe courtesy of Periplus Mini Cookbooks, modified)

1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
3/4 cup boiling water
2 cups self-raising flour
1/3 cup finely chopped cashew nuts
(make extra to sprinkle over cake before baking)
150g unsalted butter
3/4 cup soft brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Brush bar / loaf tin with melted butter or oil and line with grease paper (unless a non-stick tin is used).
2. Combine coffee and water. Set aside to cool.
3. Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Add the nuts and make a well in the centre.
4. Melt butter and sugar over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
5. Combine egg with coffee liquid.
6. Add butter and egg mixtures to the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir until combined and do not overbeat.
7. Bake for 35 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when inserted in centre of cake. Turn on wire rack to cool.

Extra information from mummy: these coffee bars are moderately sweet.

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?