Hello 2009

It is now 20th January, 2009, and my mind has not quite settled into the new year.

As I write this, I am nursing a cough and cold, ironically shortly after I had my flu shot, given by my GP. Last Thursday, I had lunch with Fr. T.O.N. and a friend at the Club, and after the lunch, I felt sick with a sore throat. By Friday, I was coughing and felt the effects of a cold. There was no fever though. So I decided to take the cold relief tablets. Although I was not all that sick, I started having urinating problems.

Yesterday, I saw my GP, who advised me that the cold relief tablets that I took has a side effect of enlarged prostrate. No wonder I suffered for that. I am now on alternative medication from my GP. Today, I rested at home and I am glad that the effects of the previous medication is wearing off and my prostrate is slowly returning to normal. But I still sound like a frog. I have since warned some of my elderly male friends, against taking such medication off the shelf.

I have been cooking lately, since my Christmas turkey. On New Year's day, I roasted a rolled pork, using the long low temperature method. It took me four and a half hours of low temperature roasting. Unfortunately, there was not much fat and the pork turned out rather dry. It would have been alright, if we had eaten straight after roasting, but left it quite late and by that time, the meat had dried up considerably.

Last weekend, I again roasted belly pork. This time it was nice and the skin was crispy. In addition I also roasted a chicken. The family enjoyed the dinner. If I keep cooking, I hope to improve in time.

My little Emma, who has now been called 'Princess', has been hogging the limelight in the family. She really enjoyed the Christmas season and had wished that it would never end. She was finally able to sing the "Hark, The Herald Angel Sing", from start to finish.

She started Nursery School this year and had the privilege of Uncle Ben fetching her from school. On the days that she came to us after school, she was very happy, singing and dancing. Even my neighbour called her 'Chilly Padi'. On every family gathering, she has been the star and live wire.

I have another problem now. With all the eating, I have gained weight. I must now cut down to my pre-Christmas days. But with Chinese New Year next week, this is going to be tough. Kicking off the celebrations will be our family reunion dinner at a restaurant near we live. This will be followed by the perennial Chinese New Year lunch at the mansion of the Lee family. Goodness gracious me, what shall I do?

Till then....