Amma......23/6/1939 - 22/11/2015

The journey of a great, strong willed and hardworking lady....my Amma... MAdam Narayanamah...

Born in the village of Bangaram Palum, Anakapali District, Andhra Pradesh. When she was about 2 years old her parents Mahaletchumanan Naidu and Soomulammah decided to move for a better life to Malaya. ..that was in the year 1941.

She started her childhood in Kerling Estate, Selangor. However, when she was about 10 years old her mother passed away after giving birth to her 3rd child, her younger Sister. With a 4 year old Brother and a baby Sister she was forced giving up schooling to take care of the family and siblings, to take over the duty as a Mother....

When she was about 13 or 14 years old, she started working in the house of estate manger as a domestic helper. It was here where my dear mum picked up her cooking skills. She was someone who is able to observe and pick up whatever skills...that's why we call her master of all skills...cooking, sewing, embroidery, handyman at home to all the repairs , even paintings....I remember her sewing dresses for my sisters and meI for festivals, she used to do embroidery for sarees which my Father sold his shop, chopping up firewood....she could multitask anytime.....and that amazes me until today...

Well, on how my parents got married....this is their story....My Father used to be an oil merchant ..supplying oil to the estates....it was on one of his trips that he met this beautiful girl...he made some enquirers about her and made his Sister ask her hand in marriage. His proposal was receivd by my Grandfather the late Mahaletchumanan. Then, my Father 's elder Brother The late Letchuman made a visit to see the bride for for his younger Brother and he was very impressed with his future Sister in law...they were married on 10 June 1954. Like all old Indian traditions ...she had to stay with her father until she attended puberty...then she officially came to stay with her groom ....my dear Father the late Tanakala Apparao.....

They were initially staying in waterfall estate. As my Father owned half a shop in Rawang town, she moved in with him after sometime. So their life began in No.15, Jalan Welman, Rawang.... She had her 2 kids there, which was my elder Sister and myself. After a few years, Father managed to buy another shop where we stayed in the new place until I went to standard 1. As business was better in the former shop, we eventually moved into No. 15 Welman Street, Rawang. My two younger brothers were born here. 

15 Welman street holds abundance of joy , laughter and also sad memories...... If only the walls could talk, I am sure they will have a lots to say.

Amma was a great inspiration and a great lady... She is called the Elizabeth Rani...reason being...she was so fair and beautiful....I have never seen anyone more beautiful than her in my whole life....

As she aged, Her physical body was suffering...it was painful seeing her suffer....I had to let her go....

She is no more with us...I hope you have attained peace and salvation Amma...and finally united with Father after a Long 13 years wait since his demise.

If I were to have another birth ... I would want to be born to you again...

We miss you Amma and love you very much...........

My first taste of ice cream

JI didn't know it is this delicious.....

My grandson Deveish first ice cream today...

Time togather

Many times I try to arrage an outing with my sisters and never happens. However 2 days ago , that is on Wednesday night called my sisters and said can we just out for lunch and then finish with tea and call it a day.  Among the 4 of us only 3 of us could make it...without calling it off ... we went ahead . With it became 5 With my niece and grandson.

We left at about 11.00 pm heading for lunch at Gems, Brickfields. The place was not full ...we went for vegetarian briyani..I remember having vegetarian  briyani here about 3 yrs back and liked it. Hoping for the same flavors ...however, just the cooks must have changed because it was nothing to recomand to anyone. In the mean time my little angle was not very comfortable ..by than the restaurant had filled up and was a bit noisy...little friend was not too comfortable...we took turn to have lunch. Wanted to finish with Koolfi that is indian ice cream changed our mind because my 5 month grandson who wants to grab everything within his reach was getting restless. 

 Christmas around.. Wanted to get into the mood and drove over to Suria, KLCC. The Christmas decorations were ....but was surely crowded probably year end  sales or the festive season. Thinking that my grandson would be excited to see the lighted up decorations..to our dismay...he was actually cranky due to the crowd and noise...guess he was missing his comfortable  zone.

We talked, mostly laughed a lot ...  And that was fun....All in all, it was not the place.....it was being togather. Thank you Kris, with all the dead lines to  meet before year end you valued the time to be togather....love you dear. Keeping my fingers crossed for another time togather.

Vegetarian Yong Tau Foo

There were times when every thursday, used after house cleaning and special prayer for my Guru Sathya Sai Baba,  my husband would always take us out for vegetarian dinner. Chinese vegetarian was something new to me than. that was sometime like 15 years ago.  Over the years, I have stared to prepare more vegetarian dishes not only indian but malaysiannised them. Our favorite breakfast , vegetarian Nasi Lemak, Yong Tau Foo, Char Keow Teow, Curry Mee and many more.

I would like to share this dish which is a hit in my family....Vegetarian Yong Tau Foo.

Vegetarian Yong Tau foo

Ingredients

Brinjals

Ladies finger

Red chilies

Hard tau foo

Tau foo pok( the sponge tau foo)

Ingredients for the stuffing

Vegetarian roasted chicken - defreezed and put into a food prosser or blender and  mince

Salt and pepper 

Garlic ginger paste

Sea same oil

Sauce

Vegetarian oyster sauce

Dark soya sauce

Light soya sauce

Sugar

Method

Wash all the vegetables and slit them. The taufoo can be cut in half and scope out the center .

Now stuff all the vegetables. Now bake them as it is more healthy instead of frying.  As for the sauce, mix all the ingredients and taste u may add the sugar to your liking.

Serve with the sauce and it will definately be a hit .

 

Diwali the Festival of Lights..

20.10.2114.....Monday for most of us it a working Monday, but to all Hindus who will be celebrating Diwali or Deepavalli on the 22.10.2014 it's a busy day.....

My Diwali creapt into my house at about 2am last night...This year my son hari is the the first to come home. My daughter rekha and grandson, Deveish left to Seremban yesterday to celebrate  Diwali with her in laws. Sanggi my younger girl will onl back tomorrow evening.

It has been a practice in my family to have a special Diwali reunion dinner on Diwali eve  it's with my inlaws. It's on the eve too that we exchange gifts. Ang Pow is given on Diwali day after taking blessing from the elders. Normally we set a theme for the food and work towards it. It gives me immense pleasure to prepare the food and everyone giving a hand in the preparation. This year it is North Indian cuisine.

To be contined......

 Diwali wishes to my dear family and friends.

Day of pride

11 October 2014, is a memorable and a proud day for my dear sangeetha and we her parents.

Although working for almost 10 months now, only today we had, the pleasure to witness her graduation at the AIMST university in Sungai Petani,Kedah.

Many may know that Sangee started her medical studies in Padang, Indonesia. Due to natural disaster, the earth quake which hit Padang in the year 2009 with scale of 8.5 which tore the city of Padang,the campus of University Andalas. The Malaysian government gave our students a one off chance for credit transfer and places in local private universities. AIMST was one of the Universities and Sangee choose to continue her studies here. It was all hard work to and struggle to where she is standing today.

Today as she graduates with a MBBS degree, the memories of her survival and struggle in Indonesia and in the AIMST university brought tears of joy to see her walking to receive her scrool, congratulations to you my dear,  her batch mates and her dear Padang Gang.

Sanggi ma, congratulations on your graduation dear. As you go forward take along the lessons you learned in university and make your dreams come true. Our blessings are always for you ma..

Day of pride

11 October 2014, is a memorable and a proud day for my dear sangeetha and we her parents.

Although working for almost 10 months now, only today we had ,the pleasure to witness her graduation at the AMIST university, sungai petani.Kedah.

Many may know that sanggi actually started her studies to do medicine in Padang, Indonesia. Never in the least thought that she will finish her medical studies in locally. Due to the earth quake in Padang which hit the year 2008 which a ratchets scale of 8.5 and a lot of damage to town and the campus. The Malaysian government gave them a chance for credit transfer and places in local private universities. AMIST was one of them and sanggi choose to continue her studies there but she had to drop one year. She was doing  her 3 rd year in Indonesia but had to drop  1 year and start with 2 year. It was a struggle and hard work her. Today as she graduates with a MBBS degree, the memories of her survival and struggle in Indonesia and in the AMIST univercity brought tear of joy to see her walking to receive her scrool.