Ahnaf dan Buku (3)

Makasih buat Mbak Dwi yang mau dititipin beliin soft-books di Sunday Market buat Ahnaf. Harganya murah banget banget dibanding beli baru, dan barangnya juga masih oke, nampak baru dan bersih. Secara buku ini terbuat dari kain, buku ini gampang diremas oleh Ahnaf dan biasa deh... langsung masuk ke mulut... memang dia sekarang paling senang berekplorasi dengan mulutnya...

Reading time becomes more enjoyable, :)

Brownies for Birthday

Yesterday I successfully made Brownies with chocolate icing (ganache) spread over on the top and double thick cream for the filling. This brownies was specially made for by hubby birthday cake. And, he loved it. There's no other feeling unless satisfied.

The thing that I missed was taking its picture. I just wanted to take the picture and posted in here. But after the cake ready, ada aja that made me keep taking photo of it behind. Indeed there was no blowing candle ceremony or something like that. We didn't dress up or decorate the room. I sliced the cake soon and gave it to my hubby, instead. It's enough for this busy time.

The cake had gone very quick. It's deadly yummy... I wanna make it again because it's very easy to make. Just have to be patient waiting the cake cool.

I got the recipe from friend, but I modified it a little bit. Here is the recipe.

For brownies:
First.
Grease 22cm round pan.
Preheat oven to 180C

Second.
Combine in a bowl:
2 1/4 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup chocolate powder

Third.
Melt 1 cup butter (half melt, not too oily)
Melt 200 grs dark cooking chocolate (once it's melted, remove from heat and soon add the butter to this melted choco and stir finely)
Add stir 3 eggs stir until the eggs mix together with the chocolate, then
Add 1 cup milk

Fourth.
Mix "Third" and "Second", stir quickly. Don't stir too much though.
Ready to oven for 30 mins until the surface looks dry or wooden stick comes up dry when inserted.

For filling:
Mix
1 cup (300 ml) of double thick cream (I spare 3 tbs for the ganache)
5 tbs caster sugar

For ganache:
Melt 150 grs (or more) dark cooking chocolate
Still on the heat, Add 3 tbs double thick cream and 3 tbs milk
Stir gently until a bit thicken.

For finishing:
Wait until the cake cool, totally cool. Because if not cool or still warm, it will melt the filling cream. I need about 3 hours to cool the cake.
Cut it horizontally, use sharp/wide knife.
Spread the filling between the layers.
Spread the ganache on the outside.
Cool.

The funny thing was hehehe... every time my hubby eat the cake, he said "happy birthday..." hehehe... following what I was saying when I plated the cake for him at the first. What a memorable day.

Sleeping in Pram

A baby life on Ahnaf's stage is still simply in this cycle: sleeping-feeding-playing. This cycle is a cycle that can fool or stress first mothers. Three simple behaviors that can be multiple commitment for mothers. However, motherhood is so much enjoyable. It's an excitement. It's rewarding.

Found him sleeping seriously (not deeply) hehe... in his pram when we're going for walk made me stopped and took a shot. Sitting in pram and be pushed around can make him sleeping quickly. If he awakes, usually he enjoys viewing around. Very fortunate, he seldom cries in his pram. If he does, usually I stop and talk with him. If this doesn't comfort him, I prefer put him in my cuddle. I don't like he cries. Because, I love him very much. This love can't spoil him, I believe. As he's just an innocent creature.

Kuliah Jarak jauh

A comment for Mas Andi

Mobilitas seorang I Made Andi Arsana adalah sangat luar biasa, siapapun akan paham setelah tahu bahwa Mas Andi, begitu saya biasa menyapanya, adalah duta bangsa untuk PBB. Dedikasinya untuk perkembangan ilmu mutlak tidak diragukan lagi. Akhir-akhir ini beliau menyelenggarakan kuliah jarak jauh, sejauh jarak New York dan Yog ya (sengaja dipisah…hehe…) menggunakan Instant Massanger (IM). Sah bagi seorang dosen seperti beliau untuk menyampaikan kuliah dengan menggunakan cara tersebut, secara beliau hampir tidak mungkin diposisikan dalam kelasnya saat ini dan (mungkin) tidak tergantikan oleh dosen yang lain, sementara mahasiswanya sudah perlu penyegaran ilmu.

Membaca testimoni dari mahasiswa beliau, terkesan bahwa para mahasiswa tersebut senang dengan kuliahnya. Saya pun kalau waktu itu berada di kelas menyimak kuliah beliau yang disampaikan melalui IM lengkap dengan presentasi gambar/animasi materi dan penjelasan langsung (baca: suara asli) pasti (sekali lagi: pasti) akan tertegun, baru mendengar kabarnya saja saya langsung membatin “wew… fantastic”. Namun belum tentu ilmu saya nambah dengan kuliah seperti ini, ga tau ya kalo yang lain...

Pengakuan-pengakuan yang disampaikan di blog beliau sepertinya lebih cenderung pujian kepada bapak dosen yang pintar menggunakan teknologi dan peduli, kalau saya tidak salah mengintepretasikan testimoninya dan tertegun saya ini loh… bukan pengakuan bahwa tujuan kuliah tercapai yaitu pembelajaran. Seseorang dikatakan belajar jika dia dapat mentransferkan apa yang dipelajari, baik dalam level mampu mengulang kembali maupun mampu mengaplikasikan ke tingkatan yang lebih lanjut. Jika memang cara ini baik, seharusnya mahasiswa tersebut menuliskan testimoni berupa capaian dia atas materi yang telah dipelajari.

Jangan-jangan… ^_^ para mahasiswa sibuk menonton tampilan dan mendengarkan suara sehingga lupa bahwa yang ditonton dan didengarkan adalah pelajaran (FYI, sudah ada penjelasan dari cognitive load theorist mengenai hal ini). Seperti halnya menonton film, setelah keluar dari bioskop kan lain orang lain ceritanya…

Lebih lanjut, cara ini menurut saya tidak bisa dipakai oleh sembarang orang dan tidak laik diterapkan secara terus menerus. Untuk seorang Mas Andi, dengan sedikit pembenahan* pada materi dan fasilitas, menurut saya, ini adalah ide bagus yang membuka ruang bagi dosen yang bertugas di luar negeri, juga tentunya memberikan teladan dan motivasi kepada mahasiswa. Namun, bagi dosen yang sebenarnya bisa satu ruang dengan mahasiswa, saya kira secara pedagogi akan lebih banyak capaiannya dengan menempatkan diri di antara mereka untuk memberikan instruksi pembelajaran dari pada kuliah jarak jauh dengan metode IM atau lainnya. Sekali dua kali untuk suatu alasan yang jelas sih oke oke saja, toh mahasiswa adalah pembelajar dewasa.

Oh ya, kuliahnya Mas Andi ini pake diskusi atau enggak ya? Saya ingat pernah baca jurnal penelitian yang membedakan face-to-face dan online discussion (yang ngarang siapa ya... please check b-y-s, yang aku ingat ini di jurnal learning and instruction, 2007). Secara academic performance hasilnya masih mix, artinya tidak ada yang satu dominan atas yang lain. Tapi secara short-term impression, subyek lebih cenderung dengan online discussion.

Memang sih ada efek sosial yang muncul dalam co-learners interaction (oh ya jadi ngeh, diskusi penelitian ini adalah antar-siswa, bukan antar instruktur (dosen) dan siswa, kasusnya bearti beda ya… hehehe… sorry-sorry… iya beda, karena prior knowledge sesama siswa (co-learners) diasumsikan sebanding, sedangkan dalam diskusi antara dosen – siswa, dosen bisa menjadi scaffolding, jadi udah beda ceritanya….

Wah jadi ngelantur, oke… kembali ke… hmm… oh ya, efek sosial dalam berdiskusi a.l. free riding, sucker effect, egocentrism, dll. Kalo secara online (dlm penelitian tsb medianya tertulis, hampir sama dengan chatting di IM), ada dorongan untuk terlibat dalam diskusi karena semua omongan terekam – tertulis, jadi ketahuan jelas kalo ada yang ga fair, sedemikian sehingga anggota diskusi akan saling menahan diri untuk mengembangkan sikap kooperatif dalam beediskusi. Sedangkan kalo face-to-face, susah mengontrolnya… kalo disupervisi langsung misalnya melalui kamera/asisten mungkin akan muncul masalah lain. Apalagi kalo ada anggota kelompok yang pacaran… hehe… ceritanya jadi lain.

Udah ah… emang saya ini siapa kok berani-beraninya ngasih komentar begini ke orang pinter kayak Mas Andi, ngapunten nggih kalo ada yang kurang berkenan, kalo ada yang kurang mutu, mohon pencerahan... Regardless my comment, salut tenan untuk Mas Andi atas semuanya.

*) perlu penelitian nih supaya teruji!

VerveEarth.com

Just another internet surfing engine powered by Google, VerveEarth is not too disappointing. It gives you information about the geography of websites. In other words, if you want to search information from a part on this earth, you can just go through VerverEarth, find the location and there will be some addresses ready to brows. It doesn't fit for slow internet connection, though. But I like it, not too bad effort. Likely, it's still in process of registering websites.

Anyway, good luck for Clayton, the CEO of VerveEarth.

Ahnaf and Irish Lady

My baby Ahnaf and I went to pharmacy nearby a few days ago. I left Ahnaf in his pram. He just woke up and was very quite. While I was ordering my medicine, I heard a lady talking alone. I turned my face to that warming voice and as I reckoned, she talked to my Ahnaf. Likely, she was falling in love with Ahnaf at her first look. She repeated repeated and repeated again admiring Ahnaf. It's so lovely hearing her appreciation.

She is absolutely beautiful. She told me that she moved in Australia seven years ago. Her parents and extended family are in Ireland. She has two brothers in England and a sister in America. Her parents do not have any grandchild yet. With her tears, she told me many personal things that I won't write here and all just end up with sharing email address. She loves babies but Ahnaf is just different, she said ^_^ As far as I know, people here in Sydney are always fascinated with babies. Whenever I go, they see my baby cheerfully. This is another story, though.

Surprisingly, Ahnaf screamed loudly. He might think who they are around me and what they are talking of me about, since the pharmacy ladies also came down to us. It was a good chance for her since then I took Ahnaf out from his pram. She asked permition to hold Ahnaf and I gave him. "But don't take him away", I said to her with a big smile. She smiled back, "of course... God bless you, you must be so happy..." she continued.

Lucky Ahnaf.

Muffin

Saya baru tahu setelah tinggal di Sydney beberapa saat kalau jajanan yang namanya maf-fin ini sangat populer dan mudah dibuat. Saya sering mendapatinya di acara morning tea di kampus, di kantin, supermarket dan di rumah teman. Iya, temen saya (baca: bule) suka banget buat maf-fin untuk menjamu tamu. Umumnya dimakan sebagai snack bersanding dengan secangkir kopi hangat. Bagi saya sih lebih enak disambung dengan minum jus buah atau air es, secara roti ini bikin haus :)

Memang roti jenis ini sangat mudah dibuat. Sore tadi setelah menidurkan Ahnaf, saya membuatnya hanya dalam waktu 30 menit (10" persiapan, 15" masak, 5" nyuci alat-alat). Hasilnya sangat memuaskan. Mohon maaf kalo fotonya ga begitu jelas, kamera saya sepertinya memang minta di-ap-gred.

Get ready:
Oven 180C
Muffin baking pan (6 or 12 holes doesn't matter)
Patty case (if required, e.g your pan is sticky)

First, COMBINE:
1,5cups self raising flour (plain flour + 3ts baking powder)
0,5cup caster sugar

Second, MIX:
1 egg, beat with fork
3 tbs melted and cold butter/margarine

0,5 cup milk

Third, for flavouring (optional):
5 tbs dried fruits or
5 tbs choc chips

1. Mix the first and the second finely with spatula.
   
2. Add the third, stir.
3. Put in the muffin pan. Learn your pan whether you need patty cases or to spread with butter.
   
4. Bake in oven 180C for 15 minutes. Done.

This is a basic recipe, thanks for Mary. It makes 24 small/12 big muffins.

Seandainya saja Ahnaf sudah besar, pasti dia akan senang makan roti ini. *membayangkan*

Recipe of Bothok

I decided to write a complete recipe of bothok, eventually. There are several variation of bothok but the origin one I reckon is the one with grated coconut meat, like what will I describe below. Please note that the measurement works as your direction only, follow your cooking intuition to decide the right composition that suit your appetite. The ingredient is mostly available at Asian (Indonesian) shops.

Preparation/Cooking time: about 1,5 hours

First:
10 garlic
10 shallot/1 big onion
10 chili (as hot as you like!)
10 candle nut & 2 tbs coriander, (it's a good idea to heat them in microwave for 20sec or fry with a little amount of oil until smell good or just brown)
1 tomato
1 tbs terasi
note: no salt if the silver fish is salted

Second:
200 ml coconut milk
200 g grated coconut meat
200 g silver fish
200 g belinjo leaves, slice
100 g petai, slice (I like it in small peaces) (optional)
100 g tempe, slice (I like it thin) (optional)

Third:
1 tomato, slice vertically, make about 12
galanga, slice
bay leaves
banana leaves
al-foil

Fourth:
steamer
pan+olive/any oil for frying

Direction:

1. Blend the first ingredient. You can leave the chili in slices though.
   
2. Heat pan with small amount of oil in medium level to fry the blended ingredient, until smell nice.
3. Add coconut milk, simmer 2 minutes.
4. Add all the second ingredient, stir finely. Make sure it is not watery. I call this pre-bothok ^^
   
5. Remove from heat.
6. Get ready the steamer while you're wrapping!
7. On a piece of banana leaves, put 5 tbs pre-bothok, top with 1 bay leave, 1 slice galanga, 2 slices tomato then roll and fold the sides to secure. To strengthen it, wrap again with al-foil. Make about 10.
8. Steam for 30 minutes.
9. Serve with warm medium long grain/jasmine rice.

We'll be more addicted and feel more live and rewarding enjoying bothok on banana leaves, not on a plate; using fingers not spoon, sitting on the floor not on the dining table. Traditional food is always a good food. I'm loving it.

Bothok and Ahnaf

Cooking bothok this morning was an extraordinary choice. I did it because my hubby and I were bloody missing our homeland, Indonesia. Bothok is kinda banana leaves wrapped food. For me it isn't easy to make it, indeed, the ingredient isn't available fresh. Moreover, it is considered expensive in Sydney. In addition, I have a baby to look after.

What make bothok? I need: grated coconut meat, silver fish, belinjo leaves, bay leaves, galanga and banana leaves for wrapping (Sadly, I still need al-foil to strengthen the wrap!). Just believe me, they are rarely available fresh in Sydney. Most of them are frozen or dried. Again, because they are imported, their cost are absolutely expensive. But money can't buy a feeling of missing, so doesn't matter we spent dollars for this moment. Okay, for seasoning, I blend: garlic, onion, chili, candle nut, corriander, and salt.

How to make it? It's not really hard but not even that easy, of course takes time. Also to write the steps... ^_^ If you really wanna make it, please send me an email. No bargain! I will describe it step by step for you.

I got ten bothoks and we enjoyed it soooo much. It made me cooking rice a half more that I am used to. Fortunately, my son cooperated with me while I made it. My baby is just lovely. He is so cute even quite often show a serious look. Here some shot of him when he's enjoying himself.

kejungkel - nungging (what is it in english? err...)

looking out of the window for about 15 minutes, unbelievable,

he's able to sit without support (4,5 months old).

ngen-cesssssss....
double-chin-nya itu loh.... bikin gemes... real man!

doll-hug

papers around
anything on his hand or his finger goes to his mouth!

"andan-andan", javanese says.
"Mom, now I know I have foot", if he could say... ^_^

All right, it's enough pics for now. Still have many though, but later. Now I am back to study!

Know thing Been where

Firstly, it's been acknowledged that babies start learning since still in the womb. So, babies do not know nothing. They know things, indeed, on their developmental stage.

Secondly, babies have been in the womb since their conception. So, they have not been nowhere, indeed, on their tiny steps. Unless, someone takes 'em away for sure.

Nonetheless, I like that shirt on my baby because it has envelope collar that makes an easy way to pass through my baby's head, FYI sometimes I have to fight with him just to put clothes on him. But the silly words has successfully put me back to write a post here, in a mean time of altering my undone thesis. Fyuh...

Wanita Super

Co-supervisor masters thesis saya, A/Prof. Ayres mengatakan, "You now have a new life, your life must have changed since you have a baby ..." dan memang dia satu-satunya yang mengatakan bahwa hidup saya telah berubah setelah mempunyai anak. Waktu itu bayi saya masih berusia empat minggu dan saya tidak begitu responsif dengan ucapannya. Namun, akhir-akhir ini saya mulai merasakan kebenaran ucapannya melihat betapa banyak perubahan dalam hidup saya.

Tidak perlu disebutkan satu per satu, saya kira, perubahan-perubahan tersebut. Yang pasti, banyak kebiasaan dan rutinitas yang terganti. Kewajiban saya bertambah satu, yaitu mengasuh anak, sedangkan saya masih ingin menggeluti aktivitas yang sama seperti sebelumnya. Padahal, saya sudah lumayan sibuk waktu itu dan waktu sudah terasa kurang hanya untuk diri saya.

Tekanan hidup tentu saja menyiksa saya. Dengan mendongkrak motivasi dari dalam diri, saya telah memulai adaptasi. Sudah lumayan bayi dan saya sudah bisa 'settle' dan 'happy together', memang ini yang paling penting. Penyesuaian yang saya lakukan sebenarnya masih kurang. Saya sebagai mausia terbatas, dan mulai merasakan kelelahan yang sangat tanpa capaian yang memuaskan. Bulan berganti bulan, bayi saya sudah melewati usia empat setengah bulan. Serius, terlepas dari kepuasan saya menggeluti bayi saya setiap saat, hidup saya secara pribadi terasa hambar dan pincang. Bahkan saya merasa sedang berada di titik terendah, saya merasa lumpuh. Menjadi wanita super adalah satu impian saya saat ini. Meskipun, supervisor saya, Prof. Sweller sudah meyakinkan bahwa, "It's very normal if everything goes slowly...".

Ahnaf dan Buku (2)

Ahnaf suka bermain dengan buku atau kertas. Masih terbatas buku atau kertas 'beneran' sih, secara soft-book (mainan seperti buku dari kain) yang saya belikan masih nyangkut di rumah teman, Mbak Dwi. Ini foto kemarin... Judulnya Ahnaf dan Buku(2), nglanjutin postingan sebelumnya. Ahnaf awalnya sih serius baca gitu, tapi.... lagi-lagi bukunya mau di-maem!

Rambut Ahnaf sudah tumbuh loh... tidak plontos lagi. Jadi ingat, waktu Ahnaf dan saya ke rumah Mbak Dwi, si Izul anaknya bilang, "Tante, he grows his hair!" Kalo diterjemahin ke bahasa Indonesia secara utuh, "Tante, dia menumbuhkan rambutnya!" Maksudnya, rambut Ahnaf sudah tumbuh!

Ahnaf dan Buku

Mengulangi tengah malam kemarin, udara di Sydney cukup nyaman untuk tidur. Pun nyaman untuk berseteru dengan opini dan hasil riset di jurnal-jurnal. Sayang, kenyamanan ini tak bertahan lama... working memory saya over-load dan jenuh membawa saya kembali ke blog ini.

Saya ingat pertama kali saya memberikan buku ke anak saya, Ahnaf. Pintar sekali dia memgang buku, seolah-olah mau membacanya. Buru-buru deh kamera saya ambil... adegan berikutnya ternyata bukan membaca, terang bayi kecil saya ini belum bisa membaca, namun berusaha untuk memasukkannya ke dalam mulut. Memang inilah kemampuan motorik halus yang umum dimiliki oleh bayi seusianya (3,5 bulan). Berikut fotonya. Di foto ini Ahnaf kelihatan lebih lucu oleh kepala gundul, pipi tembem dan aksi mengatupkan bibirnya. Saya tersenyum, kejenuhan saya memudar.

Tengah Malam

Udara di Sydney tengah malam ini cukup bersahabat, tidak dingin atau panas, just comfy for sleeping beauty :) Sayang sekali saya tidak bisa tidur memang sengaja tidak tidur. Tengah malam seperti ini biasanya saya tidak tidur bukan untuk bercinta, namun mengerjakan tugas yang katanya mulia sebagai seorang siswa, atau lebih umum di negara saya, saya ini sekarang disebut sebagai mahasiswa.

Saya pengen sekali mengabarkan foto ini di blog saya yang abu-abu ini. Ini adalah foto saya bersama suami dan anak pertama. Kepada merekalah cinta saya berlabuh.

Baby Massage

Baby massage (pijat bayi) sounds traditional application but is very recommended nowdays in this modern era. Read and get guidance about it here or here.

I often massage my baby after bathing him. I do not need to massage all of his body everyday because it takes time and honestly, he doesn't like it everyday. Moreover, my baby is not always happy after bathing and he just want to finish bath ceremony as soon as possible. He gives me indication like yawning or screaming. If I find him relax, or I can make him relax, I will massage his body completely. I've never pushed him to be relax though, or it will just be frustrating. Anyway, massage has lots of fun. I do it happily by singing songs or talking with him. The most important is that it bonds you and your baby.

Perfectionist

One of my weaknesses is tend to be perfectionist.

Firstly, whatever I do is supposed to be perfect. Well, this is good in one side, as such this will assure outstanding performances. However, on the way to make it perfect could be the lack one. Frequently, I spend too much time to make preparation. I keep imagining, thinking, planning, revising, imagining, thinking, planning and revising again and again before the real action. Quite often, the real action is on the last minute. If a bad lack on me like technical trouble in my computer, lost money, tired or sick; the result, as you reckon, won't be as perfect as the plan. Poor me! The worse thing is that if I get interruption of another tasks during the 'thinking' period. I can keep one task behind and do the other, and so forth as live goes on, I get many things to do in my head. Eventually, I just get frustration and do it reluctantly. Some even unconsciously be forgotten.

Secondly, I want to do many things at once as I want to be seen as the perfect one. I have ambition to do this, this and this but reality, I only have one head, two hands, 24 hours, many hours sleeping period and many-many homeworks as a mother of one, a wife, a daughter, a grand daughter, an aunt, a student, a teacher, a friend, a traveler, a milister, a reader, a blogger may be, etc. I do aware that I have limitation that I can't handle many things at once, but am not sure why I still make plans and think actions. Consequently, this makes me more dreaming than doing real action. Eventually, nothing is resulted and I just become nerd.

Nonetheless, I still tend my self as a perfectionist. I know it could make me mad, and also people around me perhaps, that's why I categorise this character as my weaknesses. Even though it is not easy to perform perfectly, I insist to be perfectionist. What makes me like this is that I am always impressed by the perfect performances that I accomplished some times ago. I will try as hard as I could to pursue the perfect again. True that this sentence is typically said by a perfectionist, hehehe... You know, it is such a satisfaction once you could be perfect. And I believe that it will make a difference.

I have written about the same topic last year, click this away to read it.

Pengajian Akhwat

Pengajian Akhwat is sort of muslim women association whose activities like reading the Holy Qur'an, discussing family matters in Islam perspective, sharing experiences and, always, food. This in Sydney, however, is not limited for women only, but their children (male and female) can also be involved. Most of them are Indonesian students from UNSW, UTS, USyd, etc. Indonesians who are already PR also involved. Find about them in this site.

I am currently one of the member. It's a lovely place to meet mothers in here. Above is our picture (just a few of us who did Ied prayer at UNSW) after sholat Ied this year at Sam Cracknel pavillion, UNSW. My baby was in my cuddle. He was deeply sleeping. Can you find us?

Recipes in Mind

I love everything related to cooking. I forget when I exactly started like doing cooking, though. It may have been growing up since my mum asked me often to help her in kitchen when I was a kid. I am remembering now, I had kid's cooking stuffs and I played such a chef, cooked 'fake' food and friends of mine became the consumer. He..he..he.. typically femi-girl!

I am a mother of one at this moment. My husband really likes snacking, just fits with my hobby of cooking. If I have time, I surely make some for him. As my baby will be introduced to solid food shortly, I just started looking around recipes of baby food. About baby's, I like suggestion in this website: raising your children! It's worth to read it.

Once I got a place called recipes heaven. It's my friend's web blog actually, Mbak Ayu. Her latest entry, cupcakes, inspired me to make something similar in the near future when my son grows. It also makes me remember some recipe books on my shelf, mmm... not, I think it's in the box, already to sent to my home town in Jogja ^_^. Imagining my son eats what I make for him. Describing myself busy creating cakes and my son waits for them. I really can't stop my mind imagining(and smiling alone) that it'll be nice and indeed, becoming one of them who love serving with food is just profound.

Flying over some recipe pages, I keep them in my mind. They're just waiting for the time to be realised.