My Uncle

This is my uncle Noorhisham. He's my only uncle from Mama's side of the family. Actually he's my Mama's brother-in-law as he's married my Mama's one and only sister, Aunty Fauziah. Uncle Sham and Aunty F have two human children - my cousins Epi and Noorul (they are both adults now). The family is staying in Shah Alam. I haven't met them but my SIL Nicole (bro Tom's wife) was Epi's. Nicole was surrendered to my Mama when Epi left home for uni.

Uncle Sham is now recuperating at home after a two-week stay at the Institut Jantung Negara. The doctors there opened his heart and did something that they call a by-pass surgery. We're all praying for his speedy recovery.

We love you Uncle Sham (he loves cats too esp my brother Tom) and get well soon.

Your feline family in Sydney,

Angelina & Brad

Animal Stories from Down Under

Not so good news in the animal kingdom this week. First, eight "exotic" monkeys were stolen from a zoo in Sydney. And latest news today, some drunken birds just fall off the sky somewhere near Darwin. Hmmm....natural catastrophe or man-made? Nope, no cats were involved, accused or found guilty. Both news items taken from Channel 7 News website.

Story 1: The Monkeys
Members of the public are being asked to help find eight endangered monkeys which were stolen from a wildlife park south of Sydney at the weekend.
Worried staff at the Symbio Wildlife Park at Helensburgh have set up a Facebook page appealing for the return of the breeding pair of cotton top tamarins, their two six month old babies, and four pygmy marmosets.
The staff say the animals are crucial to an international breeding program and need specialist care to survive.
It is believed there are only 300 cotton top tamarins left in the wild.
Detectives say thieves gained access to the monkey's enclosure at the park on Sunday night.
Inspector Brian Wyver of the Wollongong Local Area Command says staff discovered the monkeys missing when they arrived on Monday morning.
"They have returned and found the rear door of the enclosure had been forced," he said.
The owner of the wildlife park John Radnidge says the thieves appeared to have used bolt cutters, then took out the power and captured the monkeys with nets.
"These people were obviously aware as to what they needed to do and what they needed to bring," he said.
Mr Radnidge says the eight animals combined are so small they could fit in a shoe box.
It is the second time in a fortnight rare animals have been pinched from their enclosures.

Small and cute tamarin.

Keepers at Sydney's Taronga Zoo discovered on May 20 that two green-winged macaws had been stolen.
Police are investigating whether that crime is linked to the theft of another pair of macaws from a house in Sydney three months earlier.
Anyone with information about the thefts can contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Story 2: The Birds
Hundreds of seemingly drunk parrots are falling out of trees and the sky in a northern Australian town, mystifying veterinary surgeons who are struggling to care for them.
The brightly coloured lorikeets are showing classic signs of drunkenness by losing all coordination and passing out, and then cowering in cages as they recover from their "hangovers".
"They definitely seem like they're drunk," said Lisa Hansen, a veterinary surgeon at the Ark Animal Hospital in Palmerston, near Darwin.
"They fall out of trees... and they're not so coordinated as they would normally be. They go to jump and they miss the next perch."

The lorikeet did it.

Hansen said nobody was sure what was causing the symptoms, although it may be a plant they are eating. Other theories include an outbreak of a mystery virus.
She said the hospital, which is seeking donations, was caring for about 30 birds at a time with eight arriving each day after being scooped up from lawns and roadsides.
The birds are given sweetened porridge and fresh fruit -- the avian version of hangover food.
"It's probably the equivalent of ice-cream and cans of coke for the lorikeets," Hansen told AFP on Wednesday.
"They sit on the floor of the cage and rest their heads on the side, or they curl up in the corner and hide under the paper and block the rest of the world out."
Hansen said "drunk" lorikeets have been seen in Palmerston previously but never in such numbers, adding that the birds can die without proper care.

Angelina's note: My heart goes out to those gorgeous creatures. purrr....meow!

To Market To Market

Sunday morning, up with the lark
I think I'll take a walk in the park
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

I've got someone waiting for me
When I see her I know that she'll say
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day

Birds are singing, you by my side
Let's take a car and go for a ride
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
We'll drive on and follow the sun
Makin' Sunday go on and on
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my, it's a beautiful day

Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day

And there I was singing my heart out to Daniel Boone's hit Beautiful Sunday in the shower thinking we'll all be having a lazy day at home. But my Mama seemed to have a different idea.
"Angelina, hurry up. Get ready quick if you want to come with me," she said.
"Where to, Mama?" said I.
"We're going to the Flemington Market. We're running out of fish and vegetables," she answered.
"Is Brad coming too?" I had to ask.
"Well, I need as many hands as possible to help me carry the grocery. So, everyone's invited," came the reply.
Oh well....we can't leave Brad alone at home, can we? Boys are really ugly when they sulk.
The Flemington Market is always referred to as the other Paddy's Market by Sydneysiders. The first Paddy's is right smack in the CBD while this one is in the southwest. We live about 15-min drive from the market. Mama usually chose this one as there's free parking and not too crowded. The one in the city is jam-packed with tourists, she added.
The Flemington Market is also a stone's throw away from the Sydney Olympic Park, the DFO and the Rhodes Shopping Centre where Ikea is. I'll give you a pictorial tour of the market, OK?

First stop: the fish stall...we bought a red snapper and some prawns...sorry people, I was drooling. This stall is opened Fridays to Sundays.

Then we bought some spices for the fish. Hmmm...snapper curry or asam pedas?

Care for some Australiana souvenirs? Imagine, that "$100" bath towel can be yours for just $10!

Aahh... the Michelangelo in me loves this stall. Those plaster de Paris sets can be had for a song.

Hardware stalls are in abundant in this market. Mama bought some hooks and nails here. She's up to something, I think.

We had this Turkish delicacy called gozleme. Some sort of pastry with vegetables and meat filling. We had chicken, spinach and cheese in ours. Mama said it reminds her of murtabak.

You can buy fruits and vegetables by the boxes....

...or the kilos. We bought some bananas, grapes, vegetables and corns.

Socks are much needed for winter. Some stalls were selling 10 pairs for just $10!

Mama spent quite a long time at this luggage stall. Hmmm...travelling again? May I remind you that you are already have 8 suitcases of various colours and sizes?

Some very interesting decorative items. Nope, Mama didn't buy any of these stuffs. Phew!

We browse through winter wear....

...as well as ordinary wear.

Fascinating! Those little fishes swimming in little tanks. Oh, the stall sells various types of pets including puppies, kittens and birds. Brad didn't want to move from here until Mama threatened to sell him to the stall owner.

Ah-ha...new pet beds?

We stopped for ice cream too. So what if it's 15-degrees Celcius now?

I soooo love this stall. Mama bought a kaffir lime plant because it was on sale.

The lady at the plants stall helping us rearrange our purchases so that we can fit the lime tree in the trolley.

We spent a total of four hours at the market. That's not including time spent in a pet shop nearby coz Mama wanted to buy some kibble for us. Not complaining. OK, time for a nap. purrr....meow!

One Fine Day in Lalaland - The Sequel

Scene 1: Main Entrance

Mama enters home. Just came back from work/the mall.... Carrying something in a bag.

Angelina: (rubs self against Mama's legs) "Mama, welcome home. What's that in the bag?"

Mama: (holds up bag) "This one? It's a surprise for Brad."

Angelina: "Teeheehee....he's in for a very big surprise.....let me get him. He's been napping on your bed all day, Mama."

Mama: "That's not very healthy. Soon he'll be as fat as a goose."

Angelina: "Then we can cook him....har har har...."

Mama: "That's naughty of you."

Angelina walks merrily to the bedroom and jumps on bed.

Scene 2: Mama's Bedroom

Angelina: (smacks Brad's legs) "Brad, wake up."

Brad: (opens one eye) "I need my beauty sleep Angelina. Stop disturbing me."

Angelina: "Wake up you lazy bum. Mama's home."

Brad: (opens another eye) "Let her be. I'm sleepy...zzzzz"

Angelina: "She's brought home another boycat. You'd better claim your territory before he takes over."

Brad: (sits up straight) "What? How could she? I'm the baby of the house."

Angelina: "Har har har...not any more. He has big blue eyes and he's now sitting on your favourite chair."

Brad: "That's it. I'm going out and I'll teach this newcomer a lesson he'll never forget. Blue eyes or not."

Angelina: "Go on. Hurry. Har har har....."

Brad quickly jumps out of bed and run to the living room.

Scene 3: Living Room

Brad: "Mama, where is he?"

Mama: "Where's who?"

Brad: "The new cat. Angelina says you brought home a new cat. With big blue eyes."

Mama: "Oh....that 'cat'. He's there on your chair."

Brad: "Where.....ohhh......Angelina!!!! You liar! I hate you!!!!"

What did Brad see? scroll down....

...more....

...down some more....

...a little bit more...

Here he is.

The "cat".

The "cat" took over Brad's favourite chair.

The end.

Angelina's note: The "cat" is an original by Henry Lee of Henry Cats & Friends (www.henrycats.com). It's my pillow now....

One Fine Day in Lalaland

Scene 1: Living Room

Brad: "I'm hungry. Why don't you cook dinner for us?"
Angelina: "Not in this lifetime."
Brad: "I'll ask Mama."
Angelina: "Hahahaha....best of luck, mate. She's busy."

And so the male cat waddles to the study and jumps onto Mama's lap. He's lucky Mama was in a good mood that day.

Mama: "Yes, what do you want Brad?"
Brad: "I'm hungry, Mama."
Mama: "So, go to the kitchen and eat your kibble."
Brad: "I'm tired of kibble. I want the real stuff. Red meat....yummmm."
Mama: "Give me five minutes, OK? Let me finish my work first and then we'll see what we can do."
Brad: "Yahoo!!!!"
Mama: "But there are terms and conditions...."
Brad: "Really? I'll do anything."
Mama: "That's my boy. Promise you'll help me too, OK?"
Brad: "Yes, Mama. I will help you. Errr....what about Angelina?"
Mama: "She'll have to help too, wouldn't she? Unless she wants to just eat kibble while we eat red meat?"
Brad: (yelling) "Did you hear that, Angelina?"
Angelina: (roll eyes) "I'm not deaf yet, Brad."

Scene 2: Kitchen

Act 1

Mama: "Angelina, take the beef out of the freezer. Please...."
Brad: "Let me do it, Mama."
Angelina: "You're too short, Brad."
Brad: "You're mean, Angelina."
Angelina: "Don't I know it?"
Mama: "Stop it, kids. We have loads to do here."
Brad: "What are we making, Mama?"
Mama: "Curry puffs."
Angelina: "Yahoo!!!"
Brad: "Huh! It was my idea."
Mama: "Kids!"

Act 2
Mama: "First, we make the filling."
Angelina: "May I write down the recipe, Mama?"
Mama: "Good idea. It's simple actually."

Curry puffs: Filling
Ingredients:
1/2 kg beef - diced finely (can use minced beef too but we prefer ours a little bit chewy)
2 medium-sized potato - peeled and diced
1 Spanish onion - diced finely
3 cloves garlic - chopped finely
3 tbsp meat curry powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp tamarind paste
1/2 cup low fat milk or light coconut milk
1/2 cup water
curry leaves
2 tbsp cooking oil
salt and sugar to taste

The works:
1. Heat wok and pour oil.
2. Saute garlic and onion until brown and fragrant. Put in curry leaves, fennel seeds and curry powder.
3. Mix in a little bit of water to prevent spices from sticking to bottom of wok.
4. Mix in beef, ginger and some more water. Mix and let simmer on low heat until beef becomes tender.
5. Mix in potato and let simmer again until potato is cooked through.
6. Next, mix in tamarind paste, milk, salt and sugar.
7. Mix through everything in the pot, making sure mixture doesn't become burned.
8. Take wok away from heat once mixture is dry. Leave to cool before filling into pastry.

The filling bubbling away in the wok....hmmm....

Act 3

Mama: "Brad, please take the butter out from the fridge."
Brad: "Oh, it's right at the back, Mama. I'll have to climb in."

Zzzuppp. Fridge door closing.

Mama: "Angelina, did you close the fridge door?"
Angelina: (roll eyes) "No, it closed on its own. Must have been the wind."
Mama: "You know that Brad is in there, right?"
Angelina: "Why would I want to close the fridge door on him? I'm not that mean."
Mama: Sigh....(opens fridge door) "Come on out, Brad."
Brad: "Did you close the door on me, Angelina?"
Angelina: "Why is everyone accusing me? It was the wind. Honest."
Brad: "Whatever."
Mama: "Stop quarrelling. Brad, chop the butter. Angelina, write down the recipe for the pastry."
Brad & Angelina: (together) "Aye, aye, Captain!!!"

Curry puffs: Pastry
Ingredients:
3 cups plain flour (we used wholemeal)
200g butter - chopped
2 eggs - beat lightly with a fork
1/2 cup lukewarm water

The butter should be chilled and then chopped, no need to soften it.

The works:
1. Put flour and butter in the food processor. Process until mixture resembles crumbs.
2. Pour eggs into flour mixture. Process again until mixed through.

Isn't the food processor a wonderful thing? It makes short work of making pastry.

3. Take mixture out of processor and put in a big bowl. Now, mix in a little bit of water and knead the dough. No need to use up all of the water. Dough shouldn't be too tough or too soft.
4. Check if filling is cool enough or else leave dough to rest a bit.
5. Once filling is cool to the touch, take a small portion of dough, roll into a ball and then roll flat on the rolling board.

Our "roti" set of rolling pin and board is very handy for curry puffs too.

6. Cut pastry into rounds with pastry cutter (we use egg rings) to your desired size.
7. Place cut pastry onto a small plate, put a teaspoon (or whatever amount you like) of filling in the middle, fold and then use your fingers to close the seams (it was quite difficult doing it with claws but those lessons with playdough paid off)

What do you think of my handiwork? Mama calls it "klim karipap". Every decent girl should know how to "klim karipap", she said. Tall order indeed.

8. Finish off the pastry and filling until finished. Once done, heat enough oil in a pot for deep frying.
9. Put enough curry puffs in frying pan. Lower the heat for a slow fry or else you'll end up with burnt outer skin but uncooked inner skin.
10. Put fried curry puffs on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Ta-da..... that's our red meat wonder of the day.

Scene 3: Dining Table

Mama: "Kids, how many do you think you can eat?"
Brad: "I can eat heaps, Mama. And you sure made a lot."
Mama" "Yeap, we get about 45 of the little beauties."
Brad: "Why didn't we make them bigger in size, Mama? Would have saved a lot of time making them."
Mama: "Brad, you're going to learn a new word today. It's 'finesse'. Do you know what that means?"
Angelina: "I know, Mama. It's an uncountable noun meaning 'the property of having grace, elegance, skill, or balance.' Am I right?"
Mama: "Indeed you are. You understand that, Brad?"
Brad: "I do now, Mama. So, if we had made that curry puffs too big it means we don't have 'finesse', right?"
Mama: "Oh, and don't forget, never ever speak when your mouth is full."
Brad & Angelina: (nodding vigorously as mouths too full of curry puffs)

The end.

Angelina's note: ...burp...I ate five of them...purrr....meow!