Dublin here we come..

Yesterday, my family and I went down to Dublin for the day (a total of 102 miles driving each way).
I always wanted to go back to Henry St.. We  had expected the old Chinese tea room to be there but sadly it was gone......There is also a good shopping centre there with a huge variety of shops. My favourite is the Pagoda gift store that sells all sorts of unique eastern products - two blocks away is a fast food shop, selling burgers and hot food in vending machines.    Then, there is the colourful outdoor fruit stalls lining the street off the shopping centre - I love walking through it.
My boyfriend and I had previously visited Dublin three times, I proposed to him the 2nd visit (Valentine's Day) while we stayed at the North Star City near the train station. 

We passed this viaduct on the way to Dublin.

Leona Lewis, Belfast , 1 July 2010 (Labyrinth Tour)

My other half and I went to see Leona Lewis in concert last night.   She was AMAZING!!!    To be honest, I always preferred Snow Patrol's version of 'Run' instead of Leona's but after seeing her perform last night, I can only say she was stunning!

Leona is a pop and R & B singer, she became famous in 2006 after winning the X Factor (British Singing talent TV show).

                                                                               

 

My son finishes playgroup

Yesterday was my son Ryan's graduation from nursery school.  Family from Andrew's side and my own came to see the ceremony held at Newtownabbey Methodist Mission church.     Ryan looked so cute in his robe and hat, and he did great walking up to the podium and collecting his certificate!!
Along with the joy of the day, came the sadness and realisation that my baby is no longer a 'baby'....
I am so proud of him!!

The Joy Luck Club......best film ever.

I have been feeling rather tired as of late and wondering whether it is the warm weather that is making me feel this way.  Andrew suggested that I make an appointment to see the doctor.  I don't feel however , in this moment in time that it is necessary.    I know there is a condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  - I hope I haven't got that...

My favourite movie of all time is The Joy Luck Club - it is a film based on the experiences of four Chinese mothers who fled China in the 1940's  and their very Americanized daughters.  I first watched it way back in 1994 and it moved me to tears every time I used to watch it.  It is a story of tragedy, personal sacrifice, bravery and strength.  The film is based on a novel by author Amy Tan which became a phenomenal success worldwide..   Amy herself as a child was not happy with her outward Chinese appearance as she was growing up.....and felt she did not fit in as far as American society was concerned.              Anyone who is interested in Chinese culture should definitely watch this film! (See bottom of page for trailer.)

Some recent family photos....

Lisa, Diana & I

Ryan & mummy

Lisa, Ryan & I

Ryan with Auntie Yvonne

Ryan with Lisa

Night Out....

My close cousin Lisa is over here for a 10 day visit from Manchester and I have got the honour of being hostess.  
Last night we all went out for a drink - Lisa, my cousin John, his mate Robert & I...   the place we went to was quite a posh bar/restaurant/hotel that serves good food, etc. and was in a handy location...    I didn't want to visit hangover city, and I actually didn't,  but just trying to overcome this feeling of being dehydrated.   Oh how I detest that feeling.
Robert works as a sushi chef in Belfast & he's the spitting image of Sylvester Stallone except he has a pony tail.   John my cousin hadn't changed, still his fun old self!  We talked about tattoos, football, music, smoking .....you name it.     Quite an enlightening night out....                                       

Back to the 80's!!

Anybody remember this?    The Rubik's Cube was THE toy of the 80's.
How many of us also remember Lolo balls, Cabbage patch kids & Care Bears too?
I grew up playing with these toys......

NEW BLOG

Just to let you know folks, I have started a new blog entitled THE LAU CHRONICLES.  So,  if I blog less on this you'll know why!!  Check it out at http://www.thelauchronicles.blogspot.com/

65 miles to Portrush

We set off on Friday morning up the Antrim Coast Road  (Causeway coastal route) for our 3 day trip to Portrush. The weather for the first two days was forecast to be rain.  However when we got there it was not even very cloudy which was nice. 

Portrush Beach - East Strand

Dunluce Castle

White Rocks

As can be seen the views were amazing.

Yes!

Yesterday I waited and waited for the postman.  No sign of that letter.   Today it came and boy was it good news!   

Dear Parents
I am pleased to inform you that your son is to be admitted to this school (Abbot's Cross) in the 2010/2011 school year. I would like to welcome your child and trust that he will have many happy and beneficial experiences whilst attending our school.      I will be communicating further with you at a later date to advise you of the actual arrangements for admission.


                                                                                            Yours sincerely
                                                                                               Headmaster

I've got to say it was well worth the nerves and the long wait. I was afraid Ryan might not get into the school with the demand for places at nursery school being so high last year, I thought the same thing would happen with the primary schools in our area.     But I am thrilled to say the least , really and it is a huge milestone in my little baby's journey.

We now have a new addition to the family - Tommy the hamster!! He is a Roborovski male hamster.  I can safely say our house now ressembles a zoo.

Rain Rain Rain!!

So it's Easter Tuesday...basically we nearly had a whole week of rain.     I'd hoped for better weather for our trip up north, instead with the unpleasant forecast we were forced to cancel it...
I bought a book called 'Superfeast' by Michael Van Straten and got stuck into it.   

We visited Shaws Bridge on Sunday ( a riverside walk that is part of the Ulster Way), we walked for a good 3 - 4 miles.  By bedtime I was suffering from rheumatism.  It was quite bad but disappeared as soon as I got a good night's sleep.

Countdown to the arrival of  Ryan's letter of acceptance at primary school : 8 days to go
We are nervous.  Very nervous!
                           

Delicious Chinese Dumpling Recipe Tutorial (makes about 48)

Ingredients:
500g cooked minced pork
2 eggs - beaten
120 g mushrooms - finely chopped
3 single spring onions - finely shredded
2 slices fresh root ginger - finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons light soya sauce
some beaten egg in dish
2 packets Chinese round dumpling pastry sheets (see picture below - available from good Chinese food stores) - approx. 48

So here's what you do:

1. To make the dumpling mix, take a large bowl and mix together the minced pork , mushrooms, spring onion, ginger and 2 beaten eggs.  Add the remainder of the ingredients and blend well.

2. Take a dumpling pastry sheet;  dab a little of the beaten egg and moisten the perimeter of the dumpling sheet (this is to ensure the pastry sticks together when sealing)

3. Place approx. one tablespoon of the dumpling mix in the centre of the wrapper & carefully fold into a

semicircle; crimp the edge of the dumpling with your fingertips so that it is all sealed and looks like the following:

4. Repeat this process with the remainder of the sheets and mixture.

5. Place the dumplings in a large steamer, bring the water to the boil and steam moderately for about 25 minutes.   Once ready, serve with a soya sauce/chilli sauce or Chinese vinegar dip.  Enjoy!!

I got a call from Tim Lewis recruitment agency offering me a temping job down at Whiteabbey Primary School (where I did a few weeks work last autumn).  They left a message on my answerphone at 12.05 pm, I rang back at 12.20 pm and the job was taken by somebody else. I was rather miffed at that, but I know I'll probably get offered something better.   Hopefully they'll ring me again soon - my fingers are crossed!

Picnic time!

The weather forecast for this morning was dry and sunny...so we headed off early up the north Antrim Coast . First stop was Carnfunnock, that had a fun children's park. We had our picnic here.

Ryan had plenty of fun

Daddy on a fortress

View of the north Antrim Coast, N.Ireland

Carnlough

Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

Does anyone also know the existence of the Harbin Ice & Snow Sculture festival in China? I personally have never been but a friend of mine has, and judging by the pictures it is really impressive!
Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival - The Big Picture - Boston.com

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Harbin has temperatures as low as -24 C, it really looks so amazing there.