Spaghetti Carbonara

14th October 2009

For dinner today, mummy had prepared one of our family's favourite dishes; Carbonara. We usually eat out at one of Brunei's famous Italian restaurant for this menu, but this time mummy decided to try out a [recipe] she downloaded from the internet. For Muslims like us, just replace the bacon with beef rashers and it tastes awesome! Thanks mummy!

A useful tip: This dish should be eaten hot... yummmyyy....

Replica of Kampong Ayer

10th October 2009

At noon today daddy and mummy brought me for lunch at Brunei's landmark Yayasan shopping complex at the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan. We were amazed by an interesting replica of some houses on stilts, famously known as Kampong Ayer (dubbed as "Venice of the East"). Enjoy these pics!

A silly make-over

7th October 2009

Needless to say more... This is what happens when children play with their mummy's make-up! Hehehe... Thanks mummy for not being angry at us... haha...

Hari Raya "away day"

4th October 2009

Today, it's our turn to visit others during this Hari Raya celebration. At first, we attended a Hari Raya gathering celebration hosted by mummy's office at the Holiday Lodge Hotel in Jerudong. We spent about 3 hours enjoying the food, lucky draw as well as a balloon-blowing competition. Afterwards, we visited some of daddy's colleagues in Salambigar and Rimba as well as Bungsu Diana's place (daddy's younger sister). We went home at around 8 pm and were really exhausted by then. Hehehe...

Enjoying food at the Holiday Lodge

Lucky draw... Everyone was lucky and received a present each! Hehehe... Daddy got a rice cooker, a jug and glasses set for mummy whilst wafers and biscuits for myself and Safiya. Even our maid got a share and received a set of dinnerware.

Balloon-blowing competition... Mine was faulty and couldn't expand no matter how hard I try... Oh well, it wasn't my lucky day I guess...

At daddy's friend's beautiful new house in Salambigar. I patiently waited for my shawarma kebab...

... and took some pictures in the meantime. Nice landscape right?

Welcoming my JIS friends to our new home

3rd October 2009

Today, we hosted an open house in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration. Among the invitees were daddy and mummy's officemates, and at the same time we also gave invitations to my friends at JIS. I was really delighted that some of them were able to come with their families. Especially to Daniel, Yadi, Adam, Diyatha, Elisa and twins Blade & Elise, thank you for your presence. We hope that you have enjoyed our food... and I'm pretty sure that my friends enjoyed our home theatre as well as play room! Hehehe...

Daniel and his family

Adam and Elisa

Blade & Elise

My good friend, Yadi with his family... And thank you for the delicious cake!


And not to forget our special guest... auntie Safiya @ [CQ] whom we know from blogging. Thanks auntie for coming, glad that we finally meet each other!

Mummy's new recipe

1st October 2009

Some of our relatives and acquaintances came for Hari Raya last night. To welcome them, mummy prepared a new menu; Lontong. We understand that it's a fusion of Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine and consists of a type of vegetable stew called "Lodeh" (contains coconut milk) and is eaten with "nasi impit", "bergedel" (mashed potato balls), shredded meat or serunding and chilli sambal. Yummmyyyy!!!

It's raya again!

28th September 2009

It's Hari Raya... again! This year is really special for us for two reasons. Firstly, it's our first Raya celebrated at our [new home], and secondly because we missed the celebrations last year since we were in Australia.

To all family and friends, Selamat Hari Raya.. Maaf Zahir & Batin.

Below are some pictures taken during our attendance at an openhouse hosted by nini Belait's cousin, Pg. Salleh Ab. Rahaman. We went together with my aunts and cousins and are very delighted to be invited.

More pictures coming soon!

Eid Mubarak 2009

What's happening....?

12th August 2009

Greetings to all... Time really flies, it's now almost mid-September. For Muslims, sadly the fasting month is coming to an end next weekend..

So, what's new?

Firstly, I have started my new school year at JIS on August 31st. I'm now in Year 1 and am still getting used to my new teachers and new classmates. I won't be enjoying school holidays during the upcoming Raya festive season like all the other schools in Brunei (holiday starts tomorrow), and my next term break will not be around until October 17th. I guess that means no holidays for daddy and mummy too this year!

Secondly, nini laki is currently in West Malaysia (Perak & Selangor). He flew last Thursday night and will return home this coming Wednesday. Nini laki has been chosen as one of ex-government employees sent on a mission by the Halal Haram Department; to ensure that our processed poultry and meat supplies from our neighbouring country is up to the Muslim standard of halal foods. A really big job but we're sure that nini laki is doing his very best.

What else...? Oh yes, a happy belated birthday wish to cousin Zara who turned 1 on August 10th. We wish you a long, blessed and happy life surrounded by your lovely parents as well as your big brother and sister (Adam and Sasya).

I guess this is all for now... It has been a long delay, but I'm sure more updates will be coming soon now that lots of things is happening around in preparation for the raya celebration. One thing for sure, more recipes will be uploaded too!

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims a happy fasting month (what's left of it) and let's all hope and pray that we will be around when it comes upon us again for years to come.

Two new recipes from mummy

8th August 2009

Mummy's first recipe is "apple turnovers". We were watching the Asian Food Channel the other night and saw this simple recipe. Mummy told daddy that the only thing she needs is for him to buy frozen puff pastry sheets from the supermarket, and so he did. It was as claimed; simple, easy to make and really delicious! The glaze gives that extra taste and shine that anyone may mistake them as bought ready from the bakery.

The pastry sheets are quite expensive though, but it's worth it. You can get the recipe [here] to give it a try. By the way, mummy added raisins in the filling as well.

Tips: Any excess pastry? Cut it into long triangles. Brush remaining cinnamon sauce and roll up with the tip on the outside. The mini croissants are delicious and crunchy too!

Mummy's second recipe is "sweet chilli crabs". Yesterday afternoon daddy bought some fresh live crabs (although rather small in size) and requested that mummy try and cook them in sweet chilli sauce. This is actually a speciality of my aunt, Wawa Jay, but since mummy didn't have much time until dawn to call her up (daddy was about to break his fast), mummy tried to apply her talent and the result... yummmyyy!!! Hehehe... just look at these pictures!

The recipe:

Firstly, prepare the crabs. Be careful if using live ones. Cut the crabs in half and clean away any dirt. A useful trick: immerse the live crabs in boiling water for a minute before chopping them in half - really useful especially if the crabs are very active.

Stir fry shallots, garlic, ginger and large onions (all minced) until fragrant. Then, sprinkle some curry powder and a little bit of water. Then, put in the cut crabs and stir fry on high heat for approximately two minutes. Put in bottled sweet chilli and tomato sauces and add water. Let it simmer for a minute and pour in beaten egg(s) depending on the size of the dish. Ready to serve!