My therapy

Since I am in the land of xiao long bao and all dim sum nice, I thought I should take the opportunity to learn how to make dim sum from some of the (shifu) experts here. I was being recommended to The Chinese Cooking Workshop to learn.

Looking from the outside, the place really look rundown, however, upon entering the kitchen, I was greeted by my dream kitchen. (Again, never judge a book by its cover) Very big, very spacious kitchen and with a huge work station. The kitchen was converted from a warehouse...Inside stood a nice middle-age lady. Very cheerful, very chatty lady. Not your old-fashioned traditional shifu, waiting to 'torture' any new apprentice. Definitely, not Gordon Ramsey from Hell Kitchen!


Told you, it's BIG


Guo shifu


Basic ingredients


Not bad for a first-timer. Quite a lot to learn for a first lesson but I am not complaining


Close-up


Close-up again


Oooh, they have the best vinegar here to go with the dumplings. Brought home some and dh loves them too!

It was indeed very therapeutic, all the blues were blown away!

Tourist for a day

China has a rich history and it dated back many hundred years ago. In many parts of China, many old houses are preserved and used as toruist attraction. We ventured out and visited one of them.

Chenghuang Miao also known as The City God Temple dated all the way back to the Ming Dynasty. It used to be a temple but not now, It is just a tourist attraction with lost of shops and restaurants.


Can you spot something modern among the ancient? Yes, it was a hot day



Streets of chenghuang miao


These chefs were busying making the famous Nanjing xiao long bao (dumplings)...


Apparently, there is always a long Q for these xiao long bao. What's the taste like? When there is such a long Q, you will never find me there.


There is also a pond inside the temple


Nothing excites me more than snapping pictures of food stalls


The straw sticking out of the bao (bun) is for you to suck up the soup, the main purpose of eating this bao.


What do you see here?

Round the corner, was an old street market. While dh was looking after the kids and having ice-cream, I went in to explore and found some really interesting things...


Entrance to the market








Scenes of the market



These guys were making noodles. Pretty different isn't it. Everything is manually done.

Driving All the blues away

You know, the most difficult part of relocation was the initial phase. Ask any relocated families, they would all agree. Especially for mums. I have talked to a couple of them and they all agreed. I have my share of those blue moments too. It was hardest last week but thank God for my angels of Love from USA, cyber mama friends and my good friend from above!

One day after another, my Quiet moments with Him only gave assurance and comfort and indeed, in Him, I drew much strength.

God Himself has said, "I will leave you nor forsake you." Heb 13:5. Patience means awaiting God's time without doubting God's love

I want you to know brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. - Phil 1:12. For the Christian, what looks like a detour may actually be a new road to blessing

I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Rom 8:38-39. God's grace is immeasurable; His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible

God comforts us...that we may be able to comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:4. When God permits trials, He also provides comfort.


Got this in my email, love it, love it. Here it is for you, hope you love it too. Highlighted in blue are my favourites and why!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever had.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

Yes, don't think I am leading a tai-tai (lady of leisure) life. It is much more than you can imagine. Thank God for your life.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

Have you ever seen laptops, files, piles of papers...sitting by a hospital bed?

Pay off your credit cards bill every month.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

Even if it is a cyber friend!

It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

Oh yes, I have done it many times ;P

Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

It's OK to let your children see you cry.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Yes, so don't compare with mine

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

It makes shifting so much easier!

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Reminds me, I better wear my beautiful dress today!

Over prepare, then go with the flow.

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

The most important sex organ is the brain.

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

So...what is relocation!

Always choose life.

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

This has been my motto and has made me wiser!

Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Believe in miracles.

My children are my miracles

God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

That's why I still feel His love today.

Don't audit life.

Show up and make the most of it now.

Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

I say, age gracefully.

Your children get only one childhood.

Give it to them, it's theirs not yours!

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

A cyber mama just shared with us that her maid had lost one twin daughter in the Indonesia earthquake.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

That's why even as a stay-at-home-mum, I will always make sure I change to my outdoor clothings in the morning.

Yield.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Always will be.