Knock knock!

20th jan ( Tuesday) moon Capricorn in 7h. 10 degree ob to my natal mars

We have a visitor! New companion in our journey. We ventured even further on our car. Checking out the location of the train station where we can park. Went to Werribee Mall. Mall seems to be the easiest, safe synthesized mini representation of society. For us to test our wings. I observed I was getting a little impatient. We don't seem to have achieving much.

First meal outside in Werribee food court. Can't wait to dive in for some spices n rice!

I consciously activate my ascendent cancer and  north node Virgo.

I cooked for my flat mates and prepared a long bath for her.

Moon turning to new sign Aquarius. In the evening.

We were suggested to move to sleep in a room upstairs instead. Since we have a new guest, it make sense to leave the living hall as a communal purpose and make another private space else where. As usual, relocating is not v easy for a Taurus. But it is time to move. Though my luggage is still down stays. I ended the day w a knock on my head before I lay my head down. Perhaps to empty all my previous energy to suit this new room!

21th jan (Wednesday) first day of mercury in retrograde.

Moon Aquarius, sun just turned Aquarius .

Woke up on a new bed! Embraced, confined this is the feeling of a bed room. Room mate fell from the bed. And it is her turn to have a knock on her head! It is good time for her rest for a while! Rescheduling required for our initial plan to visit Victoria market. Truly feeling the effect of mercury retrograde. Can't go many places. I have been spending some time de cluttering pictures n unwanted softwares on my phone.

I believe I can fly.

18th jan 2015 (Sunday)

Moon in sagi, waning. Flying on Air Asia d7 212

While I am on the plane flying to melbourne, I made this post. The Fun of making planes in 2013. When I was homeschooling the kids, this is what sy has asked me to help him to make. A model plane. He saw it in some books. We had to search for balsa wood and cut to shapes to make the plane. Kids had fun. Hard work for mama!

Touch down melbourne

Arriived mid night 12am 18th Jan 201

New Moon in Capricorn 19th Jan 2015

By the time we got to the house, it is about 2 am local time. First to settle a place to sleep. And get grounded. It was a slow process of getting myself oriented. The next morning I had A cup of warm lemon drink, picked me up. Next proceed to get groceries supply for the week.

Come to think of it, I have never get a chance to indulge in a long bath properly. Most of the time it will be v busy when kids are around. When u r back in water, it make you feel as if nothing matters in the outside world. U r back to inner self. I guess it is v close to going back to mother's womb. Warm, quiet, embraced. It is great to connect back to myself. 

Familiarise ourselves w the house, 2ndly the car then the neighbourhood. Very slowly, step by step finding our ways around.

This is our first snack, local produce w smooth Indian yogurt.

The dinner, delicious tomato minestrone soup.

This is our bed! Best way to get grounded is to sleep close to the earth! And we have a magnificent lake view!

Tea time snack by the deck next to the lake at the back yard.

It was a wonderful touch down experience. No agenda, no rush just following the beat of the cosmos as it is.

In a dream for 10 days and now finally back.

6th jan 2015, Full moon in cancer conj natal  mars in cancer, 1st h, t sq tip.

The day before I end my long stay in Penang and make my trip back to kl, I had a furious dream. So angry, I remember so vividly. It left a strong impression on my mind that I have such prominent, buried, suppressed anger in me. I dreamt that I scolded my heart out at my maid. Current maid? A new maid? Unsure. I screamed at her many things that I never did in reality as I tried to be "humane". This is actually a reoccurring dream. I had this many times. Something urgent never get addressed. But this time with the full moon in cancer just highlighted the issue. Even though I haven't reached home. I still had a dream w Such strong intensity.

Later that I was pondering over my fury. It surfaced suddenly. It is v clear that I found myself a clear mirror. Such strong projection that others easily can become the scape goat. What does that indicate? Suddenly I received an insight, when I open up my heart for it. My maid re enforced such dis organise lazy character in me!  She enlarge the perspective. Imagine, one person goes messy, u can blame it on the kids. And now w a specially hired domestic helper is still messy, it just doubly highlight my disability in such matter. Unable to lead in my domestic scene. I couldn't accept this "sleeping away" character in me. On the other hand I can be v hard n strict on myself. 

Avent Light Spiral fantasies...

22nd Dec 2014 (Monday)  T. Moon Capricon 7 degree  New Moon  Solstice

It is said that today is a most auspicious day of making a wish. Especially all things related to career. I was at home w sy, still have mild fever and looking low in energy. I made a wish for him. for all my children to grow up healthy, independent and confident to take on the path given to them.

23rd Dec 2014 (Tuesday)  T. Moon Capricon 22 degree,  New Moon

Today is a special dual function outing, a yoga lesson and extended to a Christmas party. Sy seems to be healthy enough to go! He looks more radiant and upright. Suddenly I realized the wish was working! Friend cooked up a simple lovely lunch, kids had lovely pre Christmas warm up. Xyuan was happy to received gift blessings. She is beaming w worthy feeling. I had enough time to go home and napped well. Simply perfect.

24th Dec 2014 (Wednesday) T. Moon Aquarius 7 degree,  New Moon

Today is the day the kids has been looking for. A Christmas Eve party down in Seremban. Somehow I feel we are yet to to give meanings to the kids in this festive season. So far the impression has been far materialistic. I never grow up with this festive celebration. I start to search for meanings. I had a sudden burst of ideas of doing lots of things i found online. so I messaged my best pal, planning something meaningful the next day.

The party was warm and fuzzy. I haven't been paying attention on these friend's friends. But i could feel their friendly gestures. I have been contemplating on the topic raised by jia hui, that friendship reflects siblings relationship. I was touched by the kind friendship and compassion.

The driving experience was pleasant. The journey has been retrospective.

25th Dec 2014 (Thursday) T. Moon Aquarius 21 degree, New Moon

Spent sometime playing a card game with the boys. It has been kindly given to us upon my shameless request. In the name of learning more Chinese, I see my eldest son taking great interest of it, I shamelessly took away another boy's Christmas present in advance. Cant help but to find some violent influence in the card game. Leaves me a dilemma compromising between learning and attics.

Time flies when you have different arrangement of activities. Tomorrow I should start packing and also some shopping for inner beauties. soon I have to share adobe in other's home. Need to take care of the presence of these inner stuff.

Disconnected Moon

21st Dec 2014 Solstice T. moon Sagitarius 23 degree,  Waning Moon

WL is due for is yearly mindful escapade. I fully support this as I know it will do him good. He has been losing weight, teeth etc. He needs this badly. Thanks to astrology, it helps me to recognize his needs more objectively.

Sy still has some low grade fever. It is already the 3rd day. It seems he really worries about his school work. I remembered he fell sick after he heard that I would be away for art therapy for some time? He urgently brought up his work and ask for my assistance. Then his head collapsed on the desk feeling dizzy. so dramatic!

My connection with him has not been too good. I always brush him aside as he is the eldest son. i expect him to be independent. I have always been busy in the mind! planning, thinking, surfing! I have neglected him. I didn't know he is so fearful of no being to able to complete his holiday work. Something no one else could help. Definitely can't go to daddy. he is forced to face me. not merely about the homework. me and him cant really talk. i dont understand his joke! I am so serious all the time of getting things done!

During dinner, in daddy's absence, i deliberately make some silly jokes, hope to loosen him up and he will recover soon. my poor son... how does it feel like not being understood by your mother? I have to pay more attention to him and connect w him more.

Undercurrent emotions vs healthy body

18th dec 2014 moon in Scorpio, waning moon

I told the kids today I will go out at night for a gathering. Sy felt the urgencies to get me to help him w his journal. Writing the journal has always been a chore for him. Coz he needs lots of help w his vocabulary. And I was the sole person who is able to help him in his Chinese writing.

In the midst of writing his journal, sy laid his head down. Very unlike him. Though writing journal in Chinese is v tough on him, he always work hard on it. Today it seems like a give up. Very unlike his usual attitude. Then he came to hug me, I felt his burning body. I had a Xmas gathering to go to in 66 bangsar. So I prepared dinner for the kids, administered medicine and take a break from the domestic scene for a while.

19th dec 2014 (Friday ) moon in Scorpio, waning moon.

Sy cont w fever. Tossed n turned the whole night. Seeing his already thin body growing even thinner. Fever is still high.

20th dec 2015 (Saturday) moon in sagi, waning moon.

Sy woke up w improved energy. Appetite comes in. Still slight fever. But he started passing motion.

Super nanny visiting Nen see's 3rd Child

By now I am a baby whisperer after having 3 children. I can hold and calm a baby and soothe them to sleep.

Refreshing shower at the serendah waterfall with Raymond and Cornie.

Balancing home and work, emotions and structure

• 16th Dec T. Moon Libra 15 degree, forms a tight tsq w N Mars and Venus 18 degree. Waning Moon

The usual yoga lesson today was rescheduled. I almost reached the destination and have to reroute.

Feel like falling sick. With the thought of the coming skype meeting at night, I skipped dinner to catch a cat nap. Hoping for a better concentrations later. Indeed, eating less did me good. Have been feeling bloated since. Maybe it is time to eat less and detox!

It was a late and long meeting indeed. One member fell sick couldn't make it. Lucky thing I have partners, they did bulk of the work load. I was just trying to enhance things here and there.

• 17th Dec T. Moon Libra  28 degree, 150 degree with N. Sun 29 degree in Taurus. Waning Moon

Brought kids for dental. got some major cavities filled. Feels great sense of achievement! Generally my mood has improved. Able to contemplate over my weaknesses to improved over  6th house. Areas I am so unfamiliar with! Employee relationship! I have been always avoiding this issue. Try to make it as if does not affect me. I always have dreams yelling at domestic worker. Still cannot nail down a schedule. Everytime I just feel like going to sleep. Must catch a new moon to plant this 6th house seed.

Subconcious Relationship afloats

Moon diary 1: T. Moon in Libra 4 Degree , Conj. N Pluto 4 Degree.  Waning Moon 22.1

Yesterday I was in a great mood of studying up on the hill (Moon Virgo). My mind was clear and focused. Though lots of old memory flashing pass. I was in a retrospective mode.

Today I had to go for a meeting on rules and regulations, generally on keeping the school in better control, also talked about money a little. I was bored and my soul gets no excitement and stimulation. Such meeting kills me. I was very quite. Kept thinking of my new found bright direction working as a budding healing astrologer or therapist. At the same time I was trying to keep the meeting fruitful, trying to concentrate.

The short renovation in my house seemed to have come to an end.

Last night I had lots of dreams. I remembered I yelled in the dream " No one did inform me!", over and again. It feels real and intensed. It seems the renovation forbia has not over yet in my subconscious mind.

I was thinking of a person I had not met for sometime. To my surprised, she messaged me in the morning to invite me for a x'mas gathering.

Quite an unusual feeling I get today. Somewhat dark and deep. Not sure of where it come from. So I decided to write my first Moon diary. I will be going for my regular Yoga session tomorrow.

Steamed chickpea savoury cake, Khaman Dhokla

Here's the recipe to remind myself. 2 cups of chickpea flour, 1 cup of yogurt, 1 cup of warm water, 1 tsp of salt, 3 tsp of sugar, pinch of turmeric powder, pinch of ginger paste. Mix well. Just b4 putting in the steamer add 1 lemon of juice and 1 tsp of baking soda. Allow some space for it to rise double in size. Steam for 10 min.

A sketch in the wind

We were having a nice stroll in the ampang neighborhood after breakfast. We found this gentle strokes on the concrete. Obviously nature was trying to write to man.

Easier than you think breakfast , snacks and light meals.

I have been wanting to avoid eating bread everyday. But the kids love it. So how, replacement! Apparently our well known traditional tosai ( dosa, rice pancake) has been the best kept secret in an Indian household. I find the homemade version tastes better minus the sour taste.

So, clear your mind, this is the type of recipe that requires pre planning. But once done you can enjoy it instantly from your fridge for over a week!

Day 1
Phase 1 : after breakfast 10am. soaking the grains separately 6-8 hours.
Soak 2 cups of rice and one (or 1/2) cup of tur dhal. ( when you are more confident you can double the quantity, then can last you for a week serving 3 times for a family of 5,6 person)

Phase 2 : after or before your dinner at 6 pm, blend the grains separately with some water ( the rice blends easier, dhal is tougher) . Then mix them up and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it ferment outside the fridge for 8 hours overnight.

Day 2
Phase 3: the batter is ready for breakfast! It should be pouring consistency. You can add some cumin seeds to improve the aroma. Or experiment it with some sesame seeds, flaxseeds. Or add some of your favourite herbs. You can fry it with some ghee, and coconut oil. Rub the oil on the pan with a wedge of  onion. Then Make sure your cast iron pan is well heated. For beginners, non stick pan can save you a lot of trouble. Move your pan around using the lowest heat, make sure the sides of the tosai is well heated. Scoop the batter onto the well heated pan and immediately run your ladle on top the batter in a circular motion. ( observe this in the Indian shop) A lot of steam will come out. Then wait for a magical opening by the sides of the pancake when it is well heated. And scrap your way into the tosai from there using a wooden spatula.

Keep the unfinished batter in the fridge. Can keep well for a week.

No curry, or chutney... My kids spread butter and jam over it. This is even easier than the western pancake. Minus the eggs and gluten. It is important to follow a routine of work process. Then everything becomes easier!

A detour

Many things happened since I last wrote. One of the major change in life was that shan yang has requested to go back to school. I have anticipated for this. I have learnt this from other homeschooling family that some child prefers school. So this didn't hit me too badly as i would probably mark it as a "failure". I have carefully chosen a "gentle" Waldorf school in jln Ipoh for him to explore a community school life.

We started a 3 day rhythm studying in the teacher's house. And soon more students join in. He was happy initially. As more students join in, especially those with previous public school experience, he started to make some comments. He observed the unpleasant language choice among his peers.

As for me, as along as he is happy, I am enjoying the break, dealing with my other Kindy children. With a stronger routine, adhering to the school, our domestic life has become more structured. Next year he will be going to school for the full 5 days. I hope he could absorb as much as he needs, learn some basic skills, he could come out from the system after he has enough. I will be here to support what he wish to do.

He has improved on his movement and coordination with the regular jumping rope exercise in school. Lots of fun meeting friends more regularly. And he learns to cook n prepare his lunch everyday.

My first moon cake! A Healthy one!

Is there such thing as healthy moon cake? I wonder! Today I attempted a sweet potato snowskin moon cake. Despite the sabotage, the taste was not bad! Basically mashed the steamed sweet potatoes then add some syrup and coconut oil in it. Mix it until it reaches a paste like consistency. Then wrap it with the colored snow skin. This time I made a yellow colour snow skin with turmeric powder. Next time I would try coloured juices like dragon fruit, orange, nyonya blue flower etc.

So lets make this easy Healthy moon cake!

Fruity coloured Snow skin:
130g koh fun
130g powdered sugar
130ml coloured juices (orange or dragon fruit, or blue flower)
100g butter

Rub the butter in the flour n sugar first then mix in the juices slowly. And roll them into 60g balls and leave it to chill while you prepare the filling.

Sweet potato filling
1kg steamed mashed sweet potatoes (purple or orange potato, purple potato gives better results)
70ml cold pressed coconut oil
30g roasted melon seeds
5 Tbs of agave nectar (or honey)
Pinch of salt

Dust the surface w some koh fun, Roll the snow skin out, then wrap the filling in. Dust the surface of the mooncake ball w some koh fun then Press it into the mould.

Chill the moon cake in the fridge for a few hours and eat while it is fresh!

New discoveries

Today we have been busy w the flour business. Started w making some scones in mind, then i found out the kids enjoy playing flour as it is. I have a few boxes of worm infested flour, perhaps I should sieve them and let them play in the garden b4 it hits the compost bin.

Bought a good smelling honey dew, but to my surprise it was tasteless. As it almost going to the compost, I thought it might make very good dessert if boil it w red n honey dates plus some wolfberries. Having thrown in a bunch of pandan leaves i rushed to get from my green finger neighbor, a wonderful smelling soothing tonic was ready effortlessly. So next time, any fruits that does not fit for your taste palette consider making them into some tea.
Just throw in some dates and wolfberries + pandan leaves works all the time.

Coco de potato

Shanyang came out w a new recipe. He rolled the sweet potato over some cocoa powder then put some freshly grated coconut with moleses sugar on it. I have never seen the kids eat so much sweet potato before. His recipes is much supported by his siblings.

DIY Chinese chess

When you are in the middle it the wild and want to play Chinese chess this is what you can do. so one fine day in the name of Learning Chinese we moved slightly out door and played around with some chalks and stones. My aim to get shanyang to write Chinese really. After creating it we played a game. I must say with the size it is more challenging to the mind, cause you can't have all the chess in one look. You might have to some what memories the position instead. So shanyang beat me in this game. He is getting better each day with the private coaching from daddy.

Flower power

I haven't been blogging for a while. Recently I was adviced to blog again more regularly according to my astrology chart. By doing so most of my problems will be solved with little effort. As this would help me w my overall well being. I immediately felt the relief as this has been one of my favorite things in life, to be able to share and have audiences out there.

Recently I begin to tune to flowers in the neighborhood and bring them home to appreciate. Some would say you would shorten the flower's life span by doing so. Something my mom used to tell me long time ago.

One day I took a stroll w my kids and armed w a pair of garden scissors. We brought back some flowers and gathered them in a few casual vessels. The presence of fresh flowers and scent in the house awoke some unexplained senses. The scent of the fresh flowers greeted and sang into every spaces and corners in my house. It was a beautiful moment. A lasting well being stayed in my mind. I can still recall the feelings after many months. You will be surprised that there are so many different types of flowers u can gather rather than just having roses or daisies from the flower stall.

Some flowers don't stay long. You get to observe every moment of change.

Try it one day, just walk out with a basket and a pair of scissors. Invite some natural guests to your adobe.