Mom in the Hospital

It’s been a week since my Mom got hospitalized. It’s been 10 days since I first took care of her, after my brother told me that Mom was not feeling well.

Now, she is in bed, sleeping in front of me.

As far as I remember, this is the second time she has to stay in the hospital. Before, it was 2004. She had some surgery. At that time, I was pregnant, so I couldn’t accompany her in the hospital.

But now, out of 10 days she has been sick, only 1 day I spent the night at home with my daughter and hubby. It was yesterday. Simply because my daughter told me that she missed me so much. However, my heart was actually in the hospital with my Mom.

Mom being sick never occurred in my mind before. She is a very strong woman. Let’s say, she’s not feeling well, it doesn’t stop her from doing lots of activities. She always has something to do. Especially, cooking.

She just loves food and cooking. Everything she makes tastes delicious.

Now, she has diabetes. She is on a diet.

She is still sleeping in front of me, in the hospital bed — and my Dad, too, sleeping on the couch.

Hope tomorrow she can go home. Aamiin.

Tauhue (Kembang Tahu’s Real Name)

I always love kembang tahu. But, I’ve just found out it’s real name. Tauhue. Thanks to Google and Wikipedia.

Kembang Tahu is the Indonesian language version of Tauhue which is actually Chinese dessert. How does it looke like? You’re lucky. I’ve just bought it! Check out:

How does it taste?

You will have layers of soft — very very soft — tofu which are poured with the sauce. The sauce is made of ginger (so it feels warm in your mouth), pandan leaves, palm sugar. These are the ingredients I can guess. I think they may have added something else.

And the sauce is normally served hot. So, people usually buy it whenever it’s cold or raining.

Today, it doesn’t rain. But, I feel like I need some warm up after getting busy doing the laundry which made my feet a bit cold because of the water getting out of my old washing machine. Plus, I’ve been having headache these few days. Maybe it would help, I thought.

So I called the street vendor walking in front of my house with the sound teng-teng-teng, which is the typical sound of street vendors selling tauhue — because there are lots of street vendors in Indonesia…and they have their own unique sound that they make by either beating the spoon onto the plate, or the cart, or anything. The sounds could be ting-ting-ting, tuk-tuk-tuk, and many more, and we all are very aware of each.

But, then… after bringing it into the house, I remember this blog. I felt like I had to share this yummy thing here. So I took a picture or two of this kembang tahu a.k.a tauhue.

And, when I finally ate it…it turned a bit cold already. Too bad. But, hey, that leaves me with a reason to buy it again tomorrow! But, so sorry, I won’t take any picture of it ‘coz I will enjoy my kembang tahu ASAP!

Bye2 Tooth!

Frankly speaking, this is not my first, yet I can’t tell you how many teeth had gone out of my mouth though. Yes, I’ve just got my tooth taken!

One thing for sure. Getting your tooth taken is worse than giving birth — talking about the take and give here . After a labor, you have a gorgeous little baby with you. Yet, this…no baby. No tooth! What you’ve got is only gum that hurts a lot. And, yes, of course, blood.

Now I’m eating rice congee. Not actually eating it, I simply swallow it.

Mom made her famous delicious risoles and sent some for me. And, there is no way I can eat them. Not even one!

Too much complaining, aren’t I? But, hey, I think I have the right to do so. Considering that I have just lost a tooth. Oh my, it still hurts. Hm…yes, I have taken the pills that the dentist gave me. Hope they do their job well. They did this afternoon.

Now, will you excuse me, I need to take a rest — although, to be honest, writing and/or working helps get rid of the pain a bit.

[Picture by Tory Byrne]

On a DIET?

No, not really. Well, I guess. Emmm…I doubt it. But, I don’t touch chocolate or anything anymore when I work late at night like I used to.

I gained some weight, I almost don’t have anything proper to put on. Like I have to go to the tailor and make me some clothes — which costs a lot so I prefer to just lose several pounds now.

I don’t know how long it’ll take but hey, I’m a patient person. Extrmely patient.

A friend of mine proposed me a diet program. But, then again…it costs a lot, too. So, for the time being, I skip that one.

Actually, the reason for me not to eat a lot anymore — especially at night — is not simply about fashion. I feel like I’m easily tired, I feel unhealthy. My back hurts. My arm hurts. My head hurts. Everything. I think I just have to pay more attention on what I consume. It’s almost been a week since my last time having red meat. We’ll see if that helps.

Now, it’s late and I have to get some sleep. I’ll be extremely busy tomorrow. Ciao!

Insomnia

I don’t think I have insomnia. I can even sleep a lot earlier. It’s just, I’ve got jobs to do. Well, I have to admit that in between I check out my FB account. I need company and FB seems to be good enough.

When I was younger — a lot younger — I did have insomnia. It was hard for me to get to sleep. I needed either TV or radio to ‘sing’ me lullabies.

Now, on the contrary, simply put my head on the pillow, I would be sleeping right away.

I think it has something to do with being ‘older’ — oh, how I hate to use that particular word, any better suggestion on which word to use? I’m about to get to the double number age. I wish it were 22 or even 11. But, no…it’s 33. Old, isn’t it?

My daughter is about to graduate from kindergarten and start her elementary education.  I remember seeing grown ups when I was her age as old people, very old people. They seemed wise and to know everything a ‘lil kid like me didn’t know.

I have to agree on the ‘old’ part, but wise and know everything? I kinda doubt it. I simply know nothing and far from being wise.

Well, let’s stop this being old crap chat. Let’s go back to the main topic, insomnia. And, no, I don’t have it. It’s 1.10 am now and I need to sleep. *Looking at the papers next to me* Well, I’ll take care of it tomorrow and get it done ASAP…get some rest…and start with the other one waiting in line.

However, life is beautiful — wish I could say: it’s perfect, but then it would be a total lie.

Night y’all!