Monday, March 4, 2013

Help! My child wants to be an artist


When I posted the inspiring essay, "A never ending dream" written by the Oscar winning Director, Ang Lee, on my facebook account, I received a question from a fellow food blogger, Mel of "Through the kitchen door". 

She asked, “when Quay Chai chose his career to become a singer, do you sternly object this path in the beginning?” 

My answer to her was, “I was not in favor but I did not object after my Quay Lo told me that we should support him to pursue what he loves most. He said one excels when they work at what they love and are passionate about doing. He said success isn't about money, position, or power. He said it was happiness. My Quay Lo is right but I have to be honest, I still worry for him because it is extremely difficult to make ends meet being a musician, and singer-songwriter in Malaysia. Trust me, it is not easy to be parents to a creative child.”

The reason I want to share this article titled ""Help! My child wants to be an artist" with my readers is because I know there are parents out there who are like me or Ang Lee’s father. Maybe we share a worry of whether they will be able to support themselves pursuing a career as an artist. In fact, for me, I still fear for my son. So when my fear overwhelms me, I read this article and it seems to calm me because it reminds me of what Pullman said. (Quote:)“ Trust that your children’s lives will evolve, that they will find their own voice, and that they will become complete persons.”


So I end this with a plea. Please support our local talent by attending plays, concerts, and recitals. You will be so surprised at the talent we have and so pleased that as a form of entertainment it is far less expensive. Also, consider donations to organizations that fuel the growth of the arts in Malaysia. Message me if you want some ideas. Today, much of the talent we have is faced with letting their lights grow dim or leaving our country for better opportunities elsewhere. What a shame that is.

Oh, and another way to get my mind off worrying is to go into my kitchen to bake. After baking this delicious and pretty looking cake, I forgot all about my worries. Don’t believe me, try this if you do not think all the advice given in the article works for you. LOL!

Kiwi butter cake



Ingredients:
2 Zespri kiwi, remove skin and sliced
250 gm butter
190 gm castor sugar
4 eggs
150 gm self raising flour
35 gm plain flour
120gm  sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
Oil cake pan and set aside. Beat butter and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, one at a time. Fold in shifted flour and sour cream.  Pour batter into prepared pan. Top with slices of kiwi. Bake at 180C or 375F for about 50 mins or until cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center.  Remove cakes from oven and let them cool on the wire rack.





38 comments:

  1. Yes QP, Lee Ang's "A Never Ending Dream" is so inspirational... Everyone needs to have a dream & works towards it, of course with their love ones' support!

    Go for it Nick!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Quay Po!Recently I read about Ang Lee's story on Fb in chinese version! This is an inspiring true story! In fact, many true stories are inspiring, haha! Hope your zai zai will have a very bright future! Yoh, why so "kiam siap" about the photos, your kiwi butter cake looks very yummy, hmmm, may be you will say, for good shot, only need 1 will do, hahaha! Have a wonderful start of the week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessie, yes I think all inspring artists should read Ang Lee's story. Thanks for your compliment on my cake. Not "kiam siap" lah, I took many shots but they all not so nice and this is the only shot I like:) You too have a wonderful week ahead of you Sweetie!

      Delete
  3. Hello Quay Po
    I hope Quay Chai will take some time to read your this post too.... I know you have full confident that one day he will make his name widely known not only in Msia but world wide!
    Back to this cake, I am sure this cake taste very moist and soft. I loves to view more shots leh....how the inside of this cake look like. But it is ok...I am imagining now, as I say, soft and moist, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mel, thanks so much for your kind words and I am sure Nick will read this post if not, I will kick his... you know what? hahahaha Sorry lah, the rest of the shots are does not bring out the deliciousness of the cake but you are right, it is soft and moist.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing this recipe..will try out one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome MeRy. Do come back and tell me how you like it.

      Delete
  5. Quay Po, you have brought up a dilemma most parents face. I think many still can't accept the idea of their child pursuing unconventional careers. Their fears are understandable but I think now parents are more open to accepting what their children choose. I am aware that our local talents are on par with their international counterparts. Nick is one shining example. I am certain he will do well, just give it time. By the way, love the idea of having kiwi in a butter cake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Phong Hong that parents are now more open to their children pursuing a career in arts. A few of our friends are very supportive of their creative kids. It is heart warming to see that. You said, "local talents are on par with their international counterparts." I say, ABSOLUTELY!! The problem is, fellow Malaysians are still willing to pay hundreds of ringgits to see an international performer but not willing to pay RM20.00 for a local show. *SIGN* Hope that change in time too.

      Delete
  6. Oooo...your kiwi cake looks soooo good!

    In the advanced countries, parents let their children pursue their love and their dream. Asian countries, the parents would settle for nothing less than a doctor, an accountant, an engineer and the like...never mind that the child will be miserable the rest of his life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I support our local talents, but not the kiwi butter cake cos.. I'm allergic to kiwi. :S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't support my kiewi cake nevermind. Glad you support local talents. Way to go.

      Delete
  8. Veron, I have to agree with you. Just let them after what they're looking for. After all, it's their life & faith. We couldn't say more except to love them.
    Hope you're having a great week ahead.
    Blessings, Kristy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. Just love him and be there for him. You have a great week too Kristy.

      Delete
  9. I don't think it easy to to make a living out of any of the arts unless you are exceptional. The same goes for sport, if you are at the top the rewards are wonderful, but if you are mediocre it is not easy. Great recipe. Have a good week Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is not and you are right. If you are not at the top, it is hard to be noticed. You too have wonderful week Diane.

      Delete
  10. Mothers always worry about their children. Even if you have a son who is a doctor, you do worry but of a different kind. You worry esp the occupational hazard that he has to put up with.....they are front liners of the sick with all sorts of infectious & contagious diseases. People only see the glamour part when they become successful specialist. But the road to become one is a long hard one. And nowadays there are so many litigation cases against doctors. Better be an artist but a happy one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's right. My mum likes to say, she will worry for me till she is 99 if she can live that long. Even at my age, she is very protective. When I go out, she will always ask me to be careful and wait up for me when I go out at night and I am going to be 60.

      Delete
  11. My 2 elder sons only like to create food in the kitchen, so I do not have to worry there lol! Still, no worries but still can try my hands in baking that delicious buttercake:D I just love a good buttercake and this one does looks good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeannie, your two boys are going to grow up to be good cook. I hope they will pursue their interest. This is a very good butter cake recipe. It is from a friend of mine.

      Delete
  12. Oh I love those kiwi butter cakes. They look delicious and I would have them with cup of hot tea. We always think and want good future for our kids but at the end, they decide what they end up doing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The kiwi butter cakes looks very tempting!! Perfect as a afternoon snack!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hayley, this is not just an afternoon snack for us. It is a whole day snack. LOL!

      Delete
  14. You are really a very understanding mother. Thanks for sharing and it is true, Nick really has a very deep passion in music. In the radio interview he said he can keep singing and singing till it can annoy his girlfriends. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to Carolyn. Haha did Nick said that? No wonder all his girlfriends run away from him.

      Delete
  15. Hi QP! As a father of three, I could feel and understand your worries and dilemma for your son's career and future... especially when cost of living is getting higher and higher...

    BUT, we as parents cannot take away a dream from our kids.

    Regardless the dream, it is very important to find ways to support and help our children until they have reached the dream or even when they come to the realization that this dream is not for them...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you are absolutely right. Your children is blessed to have a understanding Dad. I am sure your kids will realise their dreams with your support.

      Delete
  16. my dear, i have a cousin from small who never likes studying but loves drawing. Nobody taught him drawing and yet he can draw so well..dragons and when he's free, he will grab any stuffs and pretends he's doing lion dance and dragon dance. I totally agree what your QL said that one will excel when they work at what they love and passionate about it. Today my cousin is a very successful dragon maker!

    i'm off to read the 'never ending dream' now. Muack muack!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for your cousin. I am happy for him. Your kids are lucky to have you as their mum, one who will understand that they are free to pursue what they love.

      Delete
  17. It is understandable how a parents worried for their children. Quay Lo is right. We should be doing what we love and that, we will only put in our effort and excel in it ! I'm sure Nick will makes you and Quay Lo proud. He will shines. All the best to him.

    Wow....the kiwi butter cake looks delicious........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry for such a late reply. I am sure you will pardon aunty Lucy hehe. Nick makes me proud the day he was born.

      Delete
  18. Many months ago, I introduced your precious son songs to my daughter and she loves it. Thanks to you as a wonderful mother introducing him to us via your blog. Don't worry so much, just go with the flow. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for this late reply. Many thanks for sharing Nick's music with your daughter. I hope she will share it with her friends too.

      Delete
  19. I am so happy for your son, Nick Davis... I am uploading the video right now. Congrats and thank you for sharing. I hope to see my daughter one day singing like that. Have a nice blog break.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks!