I did it for you, girls: 

Barack Obama pens letter to his daughters
January 15, 2009 - 1:46PM (www.theage.com.au)

Grateful every day: the Obamas on election day.

Barack Obama has written a letter to his daughters, explaining how he has missed them during his campaign for the White House, why he wanted to be president and what he wants to achieve.

He was asked to write the letter by US magazine Parade. This is what he wrote:

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me - about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad

.C.H.A.N.G.E.

I decided to change the Blog's template...to a little browner...a little more like me...tan tan tan. 

Most of my friends would know I do not know how to work a computer and am constantly amazed at how people can create their own blog templates!!!

SOMEBODY TEACH ME PLEASE! 

Before I turn into a Template-Changing-Pro, I'll just stick with what blogspot.com has to offer (not much)

My current craze....Go Team Edward!!!!!

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(image from google images)

How much hairspray did he use? I lurrve his hair! Gravity defying!

No. of trips to bookstores to look for the 4th book  Breaking Dawn:

Camberwell - Dymocks - 4 times

     - Angus & Robertson - 3 times

- Borders - 4 times

- Targey (Target) - 2 times

Westfield Doncaster - Borders - 3 times

 - Myers - 3 times

 - David Jones - 3 times

- Big W - 1 time

Chadstone - Borders - 2 times

   - Myers - 2 times

- David Jones - 2 times

Colac - Newsagency - 2 times 

- Targey (Target) - 2 times

BUT FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Alex and Adriana got the book for me!!!!!!!!!! OMG I can't wait for it to reach my hands this weekend.. It'll be my inflight reading....

Hope I won't suffer from Withdrawal sydnrome like Alex...hehehee

The books are really good but the movie kinda sucks...except the eye-candy part which i enjoyed. And for those who know the stories well.... I'm on team Edward!!!!!!!!!!!!

My version of mr Wolf's Pizza no.9 

(thanks to Karen Martini's cook book 

Where the heart is)

A christmas gift from my buddy Yi who is currently tracing her roots in the Foochow provence..... good luck with the toilets!

  

Pizza dough recipe

400 g plain flour (preferably unbleached)

100 g fine semolina

2 tsp table salt

1.5 cups (375 ml) warm water

3 Tbs olive oil

2 tsp (7 g) dried yeast

Combine flour, semolina and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer with dough hook attached.

Mix water, oil and yeast in a small bowl and stir to dissolve yeast.

Pour water mixture into flour and mix on low speed until combined, then mix on high speed for 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic, but quite wet and sticky.

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl.

Cover with plastic film and rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.

Divide into four portions.

The dough can be used at once or stored, covered in the fridge overnight.

MAKES 4 PIZZA BASES

If preparing dough for the next day, use cold water in the dough and prove it in the fridge overnight

If you don't have a dough hook, combine basic dough ingredients and gather mixture into a ball. On a smooth surface lightly dusted with flour, knead for 15 minutes or until dough is smooth, elastic and sticky.

Pizza  no. 9 Recipe

A simple one, with fresh ingredients that are a perfect marriage made in pizza heaven.

olive oil and fine semolina to coat pizza tray/pan

1 portion basic pizza dough

1/3 cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil

150 g buffalo mozzarella, sliced

freshly ground black pepper

1/2 lemon juiced

80 g rocket leaves

6 slices prosciutto

Preheat oven to 250 degrees celcius

Light brush a large pizza tray with oil and dust with semolina

Roll pizza dough out on a lightly floured surface and transfer to the pizza tray

Drizzle pizza base with half the oil and top with cheeses. 

Season with pepper and bake for 10-15 minutes until dough is golden and cheese has almost melted

Whisk lemon juice with remaining oil.

Dress rocket leaves in a small bowl and toss to combine.

Remove pizza from oven and cut it, then immediately lay slices of prosciutto and dressed rocket on top and serve.

MAKES 1 LARGE PIZZA.

SERVES 4-6

CHRiSTMAS 2008 ( a way overdue post...)

 

Firstly our Christmas Dinner table wreath.....the long one from Pollon. I asked for a round wreath which was cheaper ($80) but Nicholas (the owner) gave me a long one ($160) for the price of a round one!!! Whoopeeee!! Yay!! Such a  nice guy.... guess He'll be my favourite florist now!

 

Because I wanted a round one too...I came across this one at the Camberwell fresh food market for a bargain at $30!!! I was being a bit cheapo by asking for a 'better price' and I could tell the guy selling it was about to roll his eyes at me because $30 was already the heavily reduced price at 4.50 pm on christmas eve..... But then how can you blame me for trying during this terrible financial period? Any savings is better than none..hehhee.

Presenting Our Christmas Tree

  

 

The first ever Van's Christmas Turkey 

Turkey with Chestnut, chorizo sausage, porcini mushroom stuffing. 

Served with Chive Gravy. 

Preparing the turkey wasn't as hard as i thought it would be...it was a bit intimidating but it sure is Do-able and I'm looking forward to my next one. A bit time consuming too....but it was yummy! My recipe for this was actually a combination from a few sources...Oprah.com and ABC's Delicious Christmas book.

Sides : Refreshing salad (Watercress, baby cos lettuce, prawns, mangoes, caramelised walnuts

             Balsamic shallots (no picture)

             Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potatoes (no picture)

My "I wanna be an American" moment

 

images from times.com, huffingtonpost.com

Remember awhile ago I posted my first Obama post and the whole world was questioning whether this man was the future?

I know I'm sooooooo late in posting this but I'm pretty glad he was the one who got the top job. I'm not American, and know nothing about politics... but this is the first time i'm actually interested in it. I actually bothered to sit down and watch the telly...watch the counting of votes. And listened with 200% what he had to say when he made his winning speech.... i had that "I wanna be an American" moment

In just a week's time, this man is going to be:

The 44th President of The United States of America 

 

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer"

Muffin & Me (a bit like Marley  & Me)

I constantly take pictures of Muffin but they're mostly disastrous..cos most of the time Muffin will have his eyes closed...or his ears are blocking my eyes.....or I'm screaming cos he suddenly turns around and licks me on the lips....or his wet+cold nose touches my face...

We'll be putting Muffin in a boarding kennel soon while we're in Lorne...Don't know how he'll live without us. The last time we sent him away he went berserk when he saw us after 2 days.... 

Will post up some Christmas pics soon....they're not in my camera. I'm so proud of my turkey...the first ever Roast turkey in my life.... (never even roasted a chicken before) and it was a total success...and we finished it!!!!! 

Kitchen Addition!

Checkout my all-Stainless-Steel Kettle! Cool huh?

...
...

Its not exactly a kettle.....its actually a kettle shaped Tea-Leaf-Infuser

I had to get it the other day while doing last minute Christmas shopping...This cute little gadget has brewed me good tea from Simon Johnson (can't remember what tea i got...it was some green tea with chestnut i think....) while I dream away in Vampire Land with Edward Cullen. Hah!!!  Someone is going to think I'm CRAZY....

Apollo Bay

 

About a 2 weeks after my exams I was in Apollo Bay with Joe. He was having a GP conference/get-together with the other docs from the region. It was a really nice place except the chilly wind...and the occasional shower. We didn't get to do much there due to time restrctions and also the weather....but we did manage to take a short stroll along the beach..

    

I spent most of my time reading in the room or the lounge area..... reading the current HYPE book....the Stephanie Meyer vampire series..Twilight, Eclipse, New Moon and Breaking Dawn (which I am yet to get!)

Its been a while since I picked up a book and read it with great speed! I went out and bought the 2nd book soon after....cos i needed to know what happened next! I think i even got a few of my friends addicted to it too... Its almost like when I was a teenager...reading all those Sweet Valley books....  

Reasons

So what exactly was the reason for not updating this blog in the past few months? I've come up with a few.... and their genuine....I promise!

 

I had exams....all throughout November..

My computer went all coo-coo! Couldn't see the screen....therefore you reckon I could do any work?

 Note: That computer is still driving me crazy...I've left it to die..... I'm currently using Joe's MacBook Pro.....We'll be getting a new computer/laptop when we're in HK! Yay to holidayssss. I am counting down daily.......