online sake course的八卦，Yahoo名人娛樂都在討論

How our mornings look like nowadays.

The boy's preschool is closed and we have switched to using online learning for the time being. The total lesson time is 2 hours daily, with breaks in between each class.

We have to take time before every lesson to set up our virtual 'classroom' and run into glitches from time to time. The classes are at times chaotic because everyone is making noise at the same time and the boy can't focus on listening to the teacher. There's also, of course, the worry of having too much screen time and a lack of social interaction.

But then again, if we think about it, this is the best alternative we have now because all of us have to do our part to observe safe distancing, think for others and and reduce interaction if we are to flatten the curve. It took the teachers a lot of effort to make this work and we appreciate the fact that the kids still get to learn new things and see their classmates every morning. I am pretty sure they miss seeing and playing with each other in person and it's our job as parents to educate them on why it is imperative to stay home during this period, not just for our own sake but for everyone else too.

This will continue for at least another month and today being Wednesday, it means all three kids are home since it is Home-Based Learning day for the girls too. I know this will definitely pose as an inconvenience for many parents but as a stay-at-home mum, I hope to take this chance to bond with the kids, learn together, watch the news, play some games, listen to their stories and remind them that learning takes place anywhere, not just on paper, in books or on screens.

For today, our goal is to be kinder to each other, show more love and don't raise our voices. Haha. Probably impossible but oh well, let's give it a try.

P.S. We don't have a tablet, my latop doesn't have a webcam and the phone screen is too small so the best way is to mirror it onto our TV and make sure the boy sits a good distance away. Remember to take breaks and drink water regularly, yeah?

#ahappymum #lifeathome #asahmstory #stayhome #distantlearning #homebasedlearning #virtualclassroom #lifegoeson #thinkforothersnotjustyourself #seethegoodineverything

Come MEET & DINE with me & HK's 8 Top Elite Influencers FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
Lets give thanks and give back together on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 24th!

Good Morning World!
If you feel like celebrating this special day together as a community for a good cause, then join me and HK's 8 Top Influencers at the Eloquence's #FiftyShadesofGiving Fundraising Event for Mother's Choice.

It’ll be an 8-course dinner with a bottle of sake per table, so make sure you bring your appetite 🙂
Time to Work Hard, Feast Hard and Give Thanks together! Reservation are Essential via: goo.gl/9rDehz

PS. 3 months of FREE online General Assembly Courses will also be given back to all guests - tag and share, spread and enjoy!
See you at Sohofama on Thursday xo

More Event Details at : goo.gl/VTjGTQ

【我與可惡麥克風的故事】(English writing below)

我的 Blue Yeti 麥克風只用來錄一年的有聲書就掛了，而且是死在錄音要開始時。

我先生到百勝樓的Swee Lee詢問時，也既是我們買那麥克風的店，店員說類似這樣的話：「哦，你用了差不多兩年了，也是時候了。」

這是什麼話啊？不會吧？？？

把麥克風送回美國維修不划算。我也不確定是否要再花$210買回同一個可能比我還早死的麥克風。

於是，我花了很多個晚上來讀網路評價和觀看Youtube影片。坦白說，做後製時，我是聽得出Blue Yeti 錄音很多不足的地方。唯有搭配Voicemeeter Banana這音響軟件一起錄音，音質才會好很多。但這軟件只能使用在Windows. 我也花了很多個夜晚才搜索到這方法。

這些陌生的科技對我這門外漢而言真的很累人。我不是只是個風水師嗎？怎麼在看這些器材的資料呢？

但為了能把師尊的有聲書做的更好，我還是一頭栽進去這令人匪夷所思的音響器材世界裡。堂堂一個資訊科技的碩士生，我先生卻完全無法幫上忙。都說了嘛，現在做女人不容易呀！

長話短說，後來我向 Sennheiser 買了個Neumann TLM102 的麥克風。今天，我購買了一台 Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo Core。這些器材其實應該在四月時就買，但當時太忙而且舉棋不定，而最近器材的價錢都掉了幾百塊。

當初考慮了很多不同價格的麥格風和音頻接口。你知道的，只要一開始閱讀亞馬遜的網路評價和觀看Youtube影片時，就如同走進一間超大的糖果店，而裡頭的一塊巧克力可能就是自己一個星期的薪資，甚至一整個月的血......汗錢，

Sinamex員工的產品知識非常的好，人也很主動熱心。他示範了各品牌的音頻接口如 Apogee DUO, Audient and of course, Universal Audio。其實還沒踏進店裡時，我就已想買Universal Audio這品牌了。聽過店員的解說後，更慶幸沒有在網路上買Focusrite or Apogee。

據員工說，這 Universal Audio Apollo Twin 也是新加坡音樂創作者們 Dick Lee、 林俊傑、Jonathan Koh 許偉強和 Sydney Tan (2019年國慶慶典的音樂總監)。#六度分隔理論 #又與俊傑拉近一度

希望回到家後能夠學會如何操作這非同凡響的器材。我還需要到蘋果買個Thunderbolt電纜。這器材也適合用在Windows的電腦。

感謝師父做這次器材更新的大財主。

我有多次差一點又買回Blue Yeti，因為覺得這些科技太難懂，太麻煩了。但老娘怎麼說也是個新加坡人，怕輸怕死的血液在我身體流著，怎可能笨到同樣的錯誤犯兩次。😁

改變有時真的滿痛苦的，尤其是要花錢、花時間和花精神時，而偏偏這些資糧都不夠。說自己害怕改變，比說自己太驕傲太懶惰不要改變，來得好聽，因為前者能贏來同情，而後者則是輸給了命運。我們新加坡能夠有今天，絕對不是因為我們的建國一代一成不變，而是我們都願意去進步、去爭取、去拼搏、去吃苦。

這個國慶日，讓我們都不要忘記這股勇於嘗試和承擔的精神。新加坡，生日快樂，我以您為榮！謝謝您給予我和我家人的一切！🎉

......................

My Blue Yeti died after one year of weekly usage for audiobook recording, and it died just when our recording session was about to begin.

The Husband asked Swee Lee @ Bras Basah about it. That was where we bought the USB mic. The store staff said something like: “Oh you used for about two years. It’s about there already.”

I was like “what the duck”...

Sending the mic back to USA for repair doesn’t make financial sense. And I’m not sure I want to burn another $210 on a metal mic that is going to die before me.

So I spent nights reading online reviews and watching YouTube videos. To be honest, I hear a lot of inadequacies in the Blue Yeti recording. It only sounds better when I use it with Voicemeeter Banana, an audio application software that can only be used for Windows. Even that took me nights of Googling to find this solution.

It was exhausting. Thought I’m just a Feng Shui practitioner...why am I looking at mics and audio interfaces?

But for the sake of my Grandmaster’s audiobooks, I threw myself head first into this whole alien world of audio tech. The Husband, with a MASTERS in Information Technology, was of ZERO help. #toughbeingawomannowadays

Long story short, I bought a Neumann TLM102 from Sennheniser SG and today I purchased an Universal Audio Apollo Twin Duo Core. I was lucky because I should have bought all these in April, when my mic died but I was so busy with work and couldn’t decide what was most suitable. Then the prices went down by a couple of hundreds.

There were many mics and audio interfaces I was considering. You know how it’s like when you start reading Amazon reviews and watching YouTube videos. Macham like walking into a candy store where one piece of chocolate can cost you one week of salary, and some, your entire month of blood supply.

The Sinamex staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. He demonstrated the various audio interfaces like Apogee DUO, Audient and of course, Universal Audio. I had my eyes on UA even before I entered the store. After his explanation, I was glad I didn’t buy the Focusrite or Apogee.

According to the gentleman, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin is also used by Dick Lee, Lin Junjie, Jonathan Koh and Sydney Tan (NDP 2019 music director). #sixdegreelaw #onedegreeclosertoJJLin

I hope I can figure out how to operate this impressive machine back home. I still have to buy a Thunderbolt cable from Apple. This also works with Windows by the way.

All credit goes to Shifu, for being the generous man that lays out the moolah for both the mic and audio interface. He lets me decides what to buy because in his words, a high-level Master doesn't bother himself with all these. Only a low-level one will. Okay, fine, that's me. 😀

There were many times I almost went back to buy a Blue Yeti. It was too difficult and troublesome to figure out all these tech stuff. But hey, I’m a true blue Singaporean. The kiasu and kiasi blood run deep in my veins. How can I be so dumb to make the same mistake twice? 😁

Change can be really painful and uncomfortable, especially when it involves money, time and effort and all these 3 resources are scarce. It’s easier and socially more acceptable to say we are afraid of change, instead of saying we are too proud or too lazy to change. Because the former will win you sympathy while the latter will make you a loser to your own Destiny.

Singapore is where she is today not because of our resistance to change, but for our ready willingness to strive relentlessly, to fight, to endure the pains, etc.

As we celebrate our 54th National Day, let us not forget this spirit of bravado and the quest for new frontiers.

Happy birthday, Singapore! I am so proud to be a Singaporean and thank you for all that you have given me and my family!

♥FOLLOW ME HERE♥
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Karaage (also called Tatsutaage) is Japanese fried chicken. It is usually cooked for lunch, dinner, or bento. Also, it is the best party recipe favored by most people!

I won this "Cookper Microwave Karaage Tray" at the sweepstakes, so I tried it out :)

Wavy tray catches excess oil, so the Karaage will turn out crisp.
The silicon paper will avoid Karaage from sticking.

I hope you can find it online or at a Japanese grocery store~ OR please get it when you come to Japan :)

Cookper Microwave Karaage Tray (クックパー レンジでから揚げトレー 6回分)
http://hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgc/0c917646.7986affb.0c917647.4501e50b/?pc=http%3a%2f%2fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2fsoukai%2f4901670110319%2f%3fscid%3daf_link_txt&m=http%3a%2f%2fm.rakuten.co.jp%2fsoukai%2fi%2f10446616%2f

(GIVEAWAY CLOSED)
Congrats to the WINNERS!!!
Ryan Dwijatama
Pariset Ines
pichapomme

---------------------------------
Microwave Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Difficulty: Super Easy
Time: 25min
Number of servings: 8 pieces

Ingredients:
250g (8.8oz.) chicken thigh or breast (w/o skin)
A
* 1.5 tbsp. soy sauce
* 2 tsp. Sake
* 1 tsp. grated ginger
2 tbsp. Katakuriko (potato starch) or flour
2 tsp. cooking oil

Directions:
1. Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Season with A and marinate for 15 minutes. *This process will make the chicken tender.
2. Put Katakuriko (potato starch) or flour in a plastic bag. Remove excess seasonings from the chicken using paper towel (to make it crisp), then add into the plastic bag. Shake and coat the chicken with the starch.
3. Discard excess starch if any, add cooking oil, then coat until no longer powdery.
4. Place the wavy sheet on the tray and place the chicken pieces.
5. Place the tray on a microwavable dish. Microwave at 500w for 6 minutes (or 600w for 5 minutes).

- Cookper Microwave Karaage Tray comes with 6 wavy silicon sheets. Each sheet is one-time use.
- You can enjoy your favorite flavor by changing the seasonings!!!
- You can also use this product to reheat deep-fried food.

Microwave watt?!
http://www.microwavewatt.com/

レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/2014/11/blog-post_21.html
---------------------------------

Deep-fried versions here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bam1EE5NqhA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIYV-TceoGk

Music by
Josh Woodward
Are You Having Fun? (Instrumental Version)
http://www.joshwoodward.com/
http://www.youtube.com/joshwoodward

FYI (products I used in my videos):
http://www.amazon.co.jp/lm/R3VVDX7JZ5GYJE/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=247&creative=7399&linkCode=ur2&tag=shopping072-22

♥Original T-SHIRTS♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFsQE0qd_4w

♥Visit my Blog to know more about ME♥
http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/

♥My Recipe Posts in Japanese♥
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/
http://cookpad.com/ami
http://twitter.com/alohaforever

♥and of course SUBSCRIBE♥
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♥My COOKBOOK available WORLDWIDE レシピ本もよろしくね♥
https://www.amazon.com/dp/4046014822/
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4046014822/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=247&creative=7399&creativeASIN=4046014822&linkCode=as2&tag=shopping072-22

Amazon Japan may be Cheaper ($10 plus shipping fee).
How to Order My Cookbook from Amazon Japan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWsrMmA7AnI

Old version is unlisted since it has a copyright issue.
過去にアップしたものは著作権の都合上限定公開になっているので編集し直しました。
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8kS3zj-BxY

Osechi-Ryori is traditional Japanese New Year's food eaten during the first three days of the New Year. Each dishes that make up Osechi-Ryori has a special meaning celebrating the New Year (such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life, etc...) and those dishes can last for a couple of days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature in winter. Usually, they are served in Jyubako (重箱: three-tiered bento boxes). In the first tier, we serve colorful festive dishes such as shrimp, black beans, sweet chestnuts, etc... In the second tier we serve Sunomono (pickled dishes) and Yakimono (grilled dishes). And in the third tier, we serve Nimono (simmered dish) called Nishime (simmered Japanese vegetables).

Traditionally, we spend few days to prepare Osechi-Ryori but I always spend few hours to complete mine. I use ready-made dishes for sweet dishes since my darling doesn't eat a lot. I put more effort into cooking the savory dishes.

So, this is my darling's favorite Nishime recipe for the third tier :) I use frozen Japanese vegetables to save time and money. I came up with this idea when I lived in New York, where you can not find ingredients easily. I hope you can make it in your country in this way.

For the seasoning, I used Yamasa's Konbu Tsuyu (3 times concentrated Konbu kelp seaweed soup stock) which is tasty and convenient. I'm sure it is available overseas at Asian grocery stores or online.

Yamasa Konbu Tsuyu ヤマサ 昆布つゆ
3 times concentrated Konbu kelp seaweed soup stock
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22/detail/B00Z607H6Y
http://www.yamasa.com/konbutsuyu/product/index.html

In the end of the video, I will show you my Osechi-Ryori from past years! Don't miss them!

---------------------------------
Easy Nishime (Simmered Japanese Vegetables)

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1hour
Number of servings: 5

Necessary Equipment:
1 large deep pot
1 medium pot
1 small pot
1 Otoshi But a (drop-lid - you can also use aluminum foil)

Ingredients:
1 large chicken thigh
250g (8.8oz.) Konnyaku
400g (0.9lb.) 1 bag of frozen Japanese vegetables (includes: taro potatoes, lotus roots, carrots, Shiitake mushrooms, green beans, bamboo shoots, burdock roots)
5 decoratively cut Shiitake mushrooms
1 Yurine (lily bulb)
5 decoratively cut carrots
A
* 3 tbsp. soy sauce
* 1 tbsp. Mirin (sweet Sake)
* 1 tbsp. Sake
* 1 tbsp. sugar
B
* 20ml 3 times concentrated Yamasa's Konbu Tsuyu
* 80ml water
C
* 30ml 3 times concentrated Yamasa's Konbu Tsuyu
* 120ml water

Directions:
1. Thinly slice or decoratively cut Konnyaku, and boil 2-3 minutes to remove bad smell.
2. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, parboil to remove the fat, drain, and set aside.
3. Separate the frozen vegetables and keep frozen until just before you use them. NOTE: you don't need to use carrot and Shiitake mushrooms if you prepare decoratively cut ones.
4. In a large deep pot, put Konnyaku, chicken and Shiitake mushrooms. Add enough water to cover the ingredients, bring to a boil, then add A.
5. Cover with Otoshi-Buta (drop-lid - you can also use aluminum foil) and cook on low for 20 minutes.
6. Add lotus roots, bamboo shoots, burdock roots, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
7. Wash Yurine and separate into pieces. In a small pot, bring water to a boil, cook the Yurine pieces for a minute, quickly rinse with cold water, then drain. Bring B to a boil, add the Yurine pieces, and cook for 3 minutes.
8. In a medium pot, bring C to a boil, add taro potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add decoratively cut carrots and cook for another 5 minutes. Add green beans and cook for 2 more minutes.
9. In the third tier of Jyubako (three-tiered bento boxes), nicely arrange 6, 7, and 8 (drain excess liquid).

レシピ（日本語）
http://cooklabo.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post_09.html
---------------------------------

Music by
SHWフリー音楽素材
ohka_japan
http://shw.in/

♥Utensils I use in my videos♥
http://astore.amazon.co.jp/shopping072-22

♥FOLLOW ME HERE♥
https://www.facebook.com/ochikeron
https://plus.google.com/+ochikeron
http://twitter.com/ochikeron
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♥Visit my Blog to know more about ME♥
http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/

♥My Recipe Posts in Japanese♥
http://cooklabo.blogspot.jp/
http://cookpad.com/ami
http://twitter.com/alohaforever

♥and of course PLEASE SUBSCRIBE♥
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