Amelia's Nest

One of the joys of being a mother is the capacity to provide and take care of the important moment in our kids life. It was always a pleasure to do things for my kids even if it means exchanging my sleeping time or what-not just to make sure things are in order. 

Two weeks ago my daughter celebrated her birthday and as a party-planner-kind-of-person I organized and planned her birthday party. The theme was Dora Birthday Fiesta. It's just a small party in our place with few invited friends and relatives here in Singapore (as all of them are Filipinos).  I prepared and cooked all Filipino foods like, binagoongang-baboy (pork cooked in salted fish), chicken lollipop, chopsuey, buttered shrimp with corn & carrots, lumpiang shanghai (spring roll), spaghetti and buttered-cheese puto. I also prepared our chocolate fountain with some dips like marshmallows, strawberries and bread sticks. Complimented with do-it-yourself Dora goodie bags for kids-guests.

And of course birthday celebration will not be complete if there is no cake. As for the cake I baked and prepared a chocolate marble fondant cake. My husband also helped in decorating. We decorated it with a fondant stars. And so I called it "stary-stary chocolate marble fondant cake". Aside from that I also baked red velvet cupcakes with chocolate and cream cheese frosting. It was tiring but yet a fulfilling activity.

Traveling to Siem Reap without itinerary was exciting. After going to a certain place we don't know where exactly we go next. While on our way to Silk Farm I saw this signage saying “War Museum” and pointing towards a certain direction. I asked our “tuk-tuk”driver regarding that and he himself don't know what's in the place. But nevertheless I asked him to bring us there after the trip in Silk Farm and so he says yes.  I am so excited going to this museum since Cambodia has a long history of civil wars and what-not. And so I thought it will be an insightful place. 

You need to pay USD3.00 for the entrance fee. Upon arrival I was dismayed with what they have.  This is not your typical museum. The person-in-charge is not dressed properly and some more the ticket both was a make shift area made of wood and it’s a bit torn-out. Considering that it’s maintained by the government and all. But since we were there we just went in. In the museum you’ll got to see the old military trucks, planes, artillery, armors and what-not used during the war with Vietnam and Khmer Rouge. 

At the entrance you will be greeted with two war planes. And a tour guide will show you the place. Our tour guide was a soldier who fought during the Khmer Rouge war. As he explained he was very young and was forced to join military for survival as his family were all executed by Khmer soldiers. He showed us his incomplete fingers and a bit fracture in his eyes plus some stitches in his shoulders. What struck me most on this journey were his personal stories in relevance to what he was showing to us. I was holding my tears while he explains everything. It’s humbling to know that these people fought for peace and order of their place but their government seems not interested with any. Or perhaps they are interested in their own interest. Just like any other government that I knew of. And it was only there that I knew there are bullets, armors, bombs and guns that were made in China. A copy-cut of those from Russia. Interesting right? At the end of the tour they will ask you if you want to donate any amount of money for their comrades who are helpless as their no other means of income for them. They relay to NGOs and donations. And of course you will ask why they are asking for donation to think that the place is operated by the government but no support from them. How ironic it sounds right? But anyway it just small amount of money that you spare for them.

This place could have been better if they put in a proper place not just a backyard and in the open space. I just felt that it could have been a better tourism attraction if they invest a bit in the infrastructure. But well over-all I still recommend this place if ever you plan to visit Siem Reap. You will be better educated about Cambodian’s struggle for peace and unity.

Every time we travel we make it a point to buy something, a magnet, keychain or painting. Of course painting. A unique painting from that place. And as expected we bought something from our Siem Reap, Cambodia trip last April 3-5, 2011. This painting was about monks. Buddhism being the official religion of Cambodia that's why you can see monks almost all places. We choose this among many others as it's colors are inviting and charming. It's also giving us the impression of the monks are preparing for a morning prayer or going back for a rest.  While traversing the wooden bridge in the lake.

As quoted in Wikipedia:

 Yesterday, my daughter has celebrated her 4th birthday and I did served this cupcake.

Direction:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.  In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about two minutes.  Combine eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste (red food coloring, cocoa powder and buttermilk), scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go.  Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda.  This iwll create a fizzing sound.  Add vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Using an ice cream scoop.Using an ice cream scoop, fill cupcake cups with cake batter, can be half-fill.

5. Cool the cupcakes in their tins on a wire rack for 10 minutes then remove and allow to cool completely before frosting.  Frost cupcakes with cream cheese icing or chocolate icing and decorate with sprinkles if desired.

6. Enjoy and served the cupcakes.

Two weeks before going to Jurong Bird Park, my family and I watched Rio. An animated-movie, it's the story of a bird name Blu who doesn't know how to fly as he was captured and become a domestic pet. And was later transferred back to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and found it's way back home. The movie so so fun even us was entertained, well as for the kids, they indeed love the movie.

Having visited Jurong Bird Park was a treasured experience for the kids as they were able to see the birds come to life. This was our first time here, living in Singapore for three years but never the less we were able to make a visit. My aunt, uncle and cousin from the Philippines visited us sometime in April. And together with the kids and my mum made a tour in. This kind of sanctuary or park is a must-see-place for children as well as adults to be educated with different types of birds, species and what-not. As we are not always interact with them. I was amazed with how they organized the place and landscape the area. It has an area of 202,000 square metres or 50 acres. And said to be the "World's Largest Bird Park" in terms of species and kinds. The place was colorful and full of energy maybe because I have an inclination on birds. Before I used to have love birds. The place is located at Boon Lay in Jurong district.

They don't only showcase the birds but they also have this interactive shows and feeding places that you can go to. Like the Lory loft where you can walk in the area and feed the birds. They also have bird shows scattered in the area so be sure you catch the timing for each sessions. If you are tired of walking you can also avail of the monorail. It has three stations that you can alight depending on what area you want to visit. Another interesting place is the African wet-lands where you can see the biggest man-made waterfall. Well I didn't imagine that we can create a waterfall, maybe am just struck with it.