Hello stranger,
We met in another lifetime,
In times when life was younger,
We laughed easier -
Now that you had to go,
I couldn’t say no,
Go and rest easy now,
You are loved by many.
Friday, December 2, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
This woman is trouble
was in an absolute foul mood last nite. started good enough, and i went to bed pretending to be asleep for an hour and a half. then i opened my eyes for another hour, before drifting into what i thought was a fitful sleep. eventhough i still woke up fuming. and i don't really know why. i am well and truly bored with all things in life at the moment. so this is what it feels like to have no direction, nothing to strive for. which makes me wonder, why am i so uncomfortable in my own skin, that i can't just lie still and be me?
work has been fairly exciting so far. came out of a very constructive meeting with a client who's a real estate developer, and i can feel the motions of my brain picking up a gear. and we are moving offices next month!!! finally, it only took 6 months to um and ahhh about it - eventhough we'd known about it for 1.5 years. ohmygod! and i get a window seat with a balcony to walk out onto!! yes, i can already picture how 'my' room is going to look and feel.
back to the grind for me.
work has been fairly exciting so far. came out of a very constructive meeting with a client who's a real estate developer, and i can feel the motions of my brain picking up a gear. and we are moving offices next month!!! finally, it only took 6 months to um and ahhh about it - eventhough we'd known about it for 1.5 years. ohmygod! and i get a window seat with a balcony to walk out onto!! yes, i can already picture how 'my' room is going to look and feel.
back to the grind for me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Monotony has finally set in
the days from anywhere between october to december are always blurry and kinda dream-like. the weather is warming slowly, though hitting us with even streams of cool-er days. i can't wait for summer. i met my beloved in summer - it is kinda my favourite time of the year now. when everything kinda moves at hyper speed (maybe it's linear with the amount of alcohol consumed), there are christmas parties and new year parties to wear pretty frocks to.
ended up sleeping at home last night because there was no shower to be had in the other apartment (my beloved's). it's quite nice to be back home, although i've been flitting between households for like forever now. definitely doesn't strike the stable nature in me, in whatsoever way. nah-uh. several friends are getting married soon. i feel really excited and ecstatic for them, and i get to go to church weddings again and bawl my eyes out. stoopid! so this time i am prepared. lots of tissues and water-proof mascara.
other than that, work is chockers at the moment, but i can't seem to find that motivation. it's been too long, at the same place, doing the same thing. something's gotta give, no? it is only human nature to evolve and get on to bigger and better things.
recently observed - i love it when it rains and then there is bright sunshine after that. it makes everything glimmer and shine. i might have been a cat in my past life - attracted to glittery things! :)
am thinking of packing up and calling it a day. nothing more to look forward to than to go home and lie on the couch with the remote in hand. ciao!
ended up sleeping at home last night because there was no shower to be had in the other apartment (my beloved's). it's quite nice to be back home, although i've been flitting between households for like forever now. definitely doesn't strike the stable nature in me, in whatsoever way. nah-uh. several friends are getting married soon. i feel really excited and ecstatic for them, and i get to go to church weddings again and bawl my eyes out. stoopid! so this time i am prepared. lots of tissues and water-proof mascara.
other than that, work is chockers at the moment, but i can't seem to find that motivation. it's been too long, at the same place, doing the same thing. something's gotta give, no? it is only human nature to evolve and get on to bigger and better things.
recently observed - i love it when it rains and then there is bright sunshine after that. it makes everything glimmer and shine. i might have been a cat in my past life - attracted to glittery things! :)
am thinking of packing up and calling it a day. nothing more to look forward to than to go home and lie on the couch with the remote in hand. ciao!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The Food Odyssey
I love food. My friend Amy loves food. Which is why it isn’t unusual for me to write about food… again. And certainly, not the last. I was flipping through the Melbourne magazine last night, pondering about my future and how bored I was with what I was doing. And then I remembered my recent trip to New York City. It was a particular beautiful Sunday, we spent the day at flea markets, walking up and down Broadway. We finally ended up back at San’s place in Chinatown. Tucked away round the corner of her street, on Pell Street, was perhaps the best kept eating secret in New York City (or at least in Chinatown). It was a restaurant called Joe Shanghai, apparently serving the best soup dumplings - little doughy beggars’ purses filled with pork or crab meat plus soup (the soup is inside the dumplings).
I remember waiting outside the restaurant that evening, after having put our names down for a table. There was already a queue forming when we arrived, and there were no signs of stopping. When the manager of the restaurant (a small, chinese/American lady) yelled “Table 22!!” the three of us yelled in unison and with gusto “Yes!!!” – the lady looked shocked and retorted “Just checking”. With everyone staring us, we burst out laughing. Ahh… it was such a good day – filled with laughter, new experiences. The weather was balmy and we were hungry for special dumplings we had never tasted.
The thing I realised whilst in Ne w York was that San also loved to eat. I mean, I always knew she loved to eat, but she actually does know the good hiding spots, which, if I didn’t have her there, would not know about. The other thing I realised whilst in New York was that the food I most enjoyed eating and that I remembered most was with the people I was sharing it with - from my youth, coming home from school and eating my mum’s home cooking, anything from fried rice, yee mee (dried egg noodles with egg sauce), to plain old steam eggs with rice. So here is my tribute thus far, to all the food and people that have influenced me to this date.
Firstly, to my sister who is a great cook herself, not just in skills, but also in her attentiveness to detail, her passion and most of all, her enthusiasm. She is my walking food dictionary and I always know she has an answer for me. It is only in recent years I realise that a lot of things she’s told me when I was younger made a lot of sense. Either that or I am extremely slow. Maybe a bit of both :) Also to all the restaurants she & Marky took me to, not afraid that I might have embarrassed them. The Provincial Hotel (in Fitzroy) was the one place I was in awe with for many of my university years. Eating éclairs at Brunetti’s the first time I came to Melbourne in 1996 – it was like cake, only with very little pastry and a lot of cream. YUM!!
The discovery of Jamie Oliver really got the ball rolling for me though. There were several years of Jamie fever around Melbourne, and especially among my friends. My mindset before was that cooking was all about hard work, and Jamie Oliver made it look sexy and very, very easy! Plus the fact that Carrie bought me his cookbook (so that I could cook for her!) for my 21st, I haven’t looked back since.
Which brings me to my next person – Carrie. For helping me discover that potatoes were yummy done in whatever way (steamed, baked, fried) but also made you extremely fat!! Wintermelon soups, red bean soups, Carrie was all for soups. I used to explain to her that nothing compared to my mum’s soup, but it didn’t stop her. She constantly told me it was good for my skin etc. etc. etc. Kim for discovering Yu-U, Honky-tonks and all the laneway holes and for teaching me that eating could be done stylishly. Amanda for all her Boxhill stories, and that amazing fish contraption (a claw-like tripod that removes the fish from the steamer, whole!). That is so cool! Funny the things I remember.
Amy for all the best coffees I’ve ever drunk; in style, in boredom, in contemplation, in periods of stress. The crab bisque at Tiamo 2 (salivating Homer Simpson style), and all her foodie adventures which I read with intense fascination. Which brings me to my beloved – when I met him, he had already eaten and drunk at half the places in Melbourne (present and past) and various other continents. But his continuing search for great food/wine and passionate people hasn’t stopped. It could also be the bottomless pit he has for a stomach, but that’s something different altogether! With him, I really learnt how to relish the beauty of food (and beer, and wine). Perhaps because he has one thing in common with all the people I’ve mentioned so far, he’s got enthusiasm, a lot of it! He will eat anything put in front of him once, before deciding it isn’t his ‘cup of tea’. There is such joy on his face when he eats chicken feet, or foie gras, or curry laksa, or the instant noodle (Maggi mee) I cook for him on our tired nights. Perhaps that is why I veered towards him eventually. It was my stomach leading the way.
So there they are, for the moment. I’m all typed-out, and funnily enough, slightly peckish. I think there is still a slice of swiss roll in the kitchen.
I remember waiting outside the restaurant that evening, after having put our names down for a table. There was already a queue forming when we arrived, and there were no signs of stopping. When the manager of the restaurant (a small, chinese/American lady) yelled “Table 22!!” the three of us yelled in unison and with gusto “Yes!!!” – the lady looked shocked and retorted “Just checking”. With everyone staring us, we burst out laughing. Ahh… it was such a good day – filled with laughter, new experiences. The weather was balmy and we were hungry for special dumplings we had never tasted.
The thing I realised whilst in Ne w York was that San also loved to eat. I mean, I always knew she loved to eat, but she actually does know the good hiding spots, which, if I didn’t have her there, would not know about. The other thing I realised whilst in New York was that the food I most enjoyed eating and that I remembered most was with the people I was sharing it with - from my youth, coming home from school and eating my mum’s home cooking, anything from fried rice, yee mee (dried egg noodles with egg sauce), to plain old steam eggs with rice. So here is my tribute thus far, to all the food and people that have influenced me to this date.
Firstly, to my sister who is a great cook herself, not just in skills, but also in her attentiveness to detail, her passion and most of all, her enthusiasm. She is my walking food dictionary and I always know she has an answer for me. It is only in recent years I realise that a lot of things she’s told me when I was younger made a lot of sense. Either that or I am extremely slow. Maybe a bit of both :) Also to all the restaurants she & Marky took me to, not afraid that I might have embarrassed them. The Provincial Hotel (in Fitzroy) was the one place I was in awe with for many of my university years. Eating éclairs at Brunetti’s the first time I came to Melbourne in 1996 – it was like cake, only with very little pastry and a lot of cream. YUM!!
The discovery of Jamie Oliver really got the ball rolling for me though. There were several years of Jamie fever around Melbourne, and especially among my friends. My mindset before was that cooking was all about hard work, and Jamie Oliver made it look sexy and very, very easy! Plus the fact that Carrie bought me his cookbook (so that I could cook for her!) for my 21st, I haven’t looked back since.
Which brings me to my next person – Carrie. For helping me discover that potatoes were yummy done in whatever way (steamed, baked, fried) but also made you extremely fat!! Wintermelon soups, red bean soups, Carrie was all for soups. I used to explain to her that nothing compared to my mum’s soup, but it didn’t stop her. She constantly told me it was good for my skin etc. etc. etc. Kim for discovering Yu-U, Honky-tonks and all the laneway holes and for teaching me that eating could be done stylishly. Amanda for all her Boxhill stories, and that amazing fish contraption (a claw-like tripod that removes the fish from the steamer, whole!). That is so cool! Funny the things I remember.
Amy for all the best coffees I’ve ever drunk; in style, in boredom, in contemplation, in periods of stress. The crab bisque at Tiamo 2 (salivating Homer Simpson style), and all her foodie adventures which I read with intense fascination. Which brings me to my beloved – when I met him, he had already eaten and drunk at half the places in Melbourne (present and past) and various other continents. But his continuing search for great food/wine and passionate people hasn’t stopped. It could also be the bottomless pit he has for a stomach, but that’s something different altogether! With him, I really learnt how to relish the beauty of food (and beer, and wine). Perhaps because he has one thing in common with all the people I’ve mentioned so far, he’s got enthusiasm, a lot of it! He will eat anything put in front of him once, before deciding it isn’t his ‘cup of tea’. There is such joy on his face when he eats chicken feet, or foie gras, or curry laksa, or the instant noodle (Maggi mee) I cook for him on our tired nights. Perhaps that is why I veered towards him eventually. It was my stomach leading the way.
So there they are, for the moment. I’m all typed-out, and funnily enough, slightly peckish. I think there is still a slice of swiss roll in the kitchen.
Monday, September 5, 2005
The piece we call marriage...
http://whoshouldimarry.blogspot.com
My friend Melissa (surprise! surprise!) wrote the above, and Mel, I just have to say “I hear you”! It is such a juicy topic (and much as many girls/women/friends) hate to admit it, have had a huge discussion about it once/twice/thrice in all their mid-20-something years.
First of all, I applaud Mel’s mum for asking her the “hard” question. Yes, the question of marriage in the 21st century has become the ‘sex’ taboo of the previous century. Everyone poo-poos about it, and usually it’s the three schools of thoughts. Those who believe in it, those who don’t, and those who think they don’t. I am all three. I would also like to add that my mother doesn’t know how to operate a computer, so thank god for that! She will never read this piece I am about to write.
Being brought up to believe I can achieve/have anything I want in life (thanks ma & pa), I myself don’t believe that marriage is the institution of exclusivity, nor is it the institution that is the be-all and end-all of your life. Those who do believe a hundred per cent in marriage, please stop reading now. I do not mean to offend, but since it is my blog, you can choose to bugger off.
First of all, marriage is a union of two great people who happen to decide (for the moment) they want to be together for possibly the rest of their lives. What happens if seventeen years (or seventeen months) down the track, you realised you’ve made a real boo-boo? Get divorced, I hear some people say! If I don’t believe so much in marriage, I definitely don’t believe in divorce. It’s a cop-out, an easy solution, an option. So you see, I have painted myself into a corner. It’s a catch-26.
If I had to point a finger at the ultimate root of my dilemma, it is the ability to choose. Peers of our generation (plus/minus a couple) have the choice. And I am all for choice. Only not for myself. If I was to be married, I have to know that that is forever. But what is forever? A close friend once said to me in anger that “You never know how long forever is”. And I have never used that word to anybody since. I don’t intend to. And then there is the idea of “the man of your dreams”. You know what though… the dream is in your head. The person you sleep next to every night can be the dream, if you choose him/her to be. So, that’s one problem solved. I can hear the ones reading this now “Where did she get off being so cynical?”. The question you should be asking is “How does she know I’m thinking this?”. Actually, I don’t – just being a smart arse.
Truth is, I am hopeful! I am hopeful there is going to be a day when I wake up and realise that I love the man next to me enough to know I want to spend a lot of my life with him. And I have people in my life everyday to tell me that I will find that one day. Both of my sisters, different as night and day have wonderful husbands. One found hers early in her 20s (though she always thought she might never get married), the other rummaged for a bit, and found hers too. I am patiently waiting for my turn. The point is to stop looking! Because if you always look ahead, you always miss the great ones right in front of you.
I refuse to be told my biological clock will start ticking soon, that I am to be compared to a use-by tinned pineapple. I also refuse to be pigeon-holed by married women who look at the single ones and have the you-poor-thing-you-aren’t-married look. Whilst saying this, I also have many, many wonderful married friends (who are so sane, and so right!!! Which is so contradictory, considering where I’m coming from). I sound sooooo Sex and the City-esque (sorry!!!!). Having someone to share your life with is double the fun, but fun all by yourself is good fun too. And not to mention great friends. So don’t despair, my beautiful friends – the next time your mothers come up to you and harass you about getting married, tell them you can’t help it that you haven’t made up your mind yet.
My friend Melissa (surprise! surprise!) wrote the above, and Mel, I just have to say “I hear you”! It is such a juicy topic (and much as many girls/women/friends) hate to admit it, have had a huge discussion about it once/twice/thrice in all their mid-20-something years.
First of all, I applaud Mel’s mum for asking her the “hard” question. Yes, the question of marriage in the 21st century has become the ‘sex’ taboo of the previous century. Everyone poo-poos about it, and usually it’s the three schools of thoughts. Those who believe in it, those who don’t, and those who think they don’t. I am all three. I would also like to add that my mother doesn’t know how to operate a computer, so thank god for that! She will never read this piece I am about to write.
Being brought up to believe I can achieve/have anything I want in life (thanks ma & pa), I myself don’t believe that marriage is the institution of exclusivity, nor is it the institution that is the be-all and end-all of your life. Those who do believe a hundred per cent in marriage, please stop reading now. I do not mean to offend, but since it is my blog, you can choose to bugger off.
First of all, marriage is a union of two great people who happen to decide (for the moment) they want to be together for possibly the rest of their lives. What happens if seventeen years (or seventeen months) down the track, you realised you’ve made a real boo-boo? Get divorced, I hear some people say! If I don’t believe so much in marriage, I definitely don’t believe in divorce. It’s a cop-out, an easy solution, an option. So you see, I have painted myself into a corner. It’s a catch-26.
If I had to point a finger at the ultimate root of my dilemma, it is the ability to choose. Peers of our generation (plus/minus a couple) have the choice. And I am all for choice. Only not for myself. If I was to be married, I have to know that that is forever. But what is forever? A close friend once said to me in anger that “You never know how long forever is”. And I have never used that word to anybody since. I don’t intend to. And then there is the idea of “the man of your dreams”. You know what though… the dream is in your head. The person you sleep next to every night can be the dream, if you choose him/her to be. So, that’s one problem solved. I can hear the ones reading this now “Where did she get off being so cynical?”. The question you should be asking is “How does she know I’m thinking this?”. Actually, I don’t – just being a smart arse.
Truth is, I am hopeful! I am hopeful there is going to be a day when I wake up and realise that I love the man next to me enough to know I want to spend a lot of my life with him. And I have people in my life everyday to tell me that I will find that one day. Both of my sisters, different as night and day have wonderful husbands. One found hers early in her 20s (though she always thought she might never get married), the other rummaged for a bit, and found hers too. I am patiently waiting for my turn. The point is to stop looking! Because if you always look ahead, you always miss the great ones right in front of you.
I refuse to be told my biological clock will start ticking soon, that I am to be compared to a use-by tinned pineapple. I also refuse to be pigeon-holed by married women who look at the single ones and have the you-poor-thing-you-aren’t-married look. Whilst saying this, I also have many, many wonderful married friends (who are so sane, and so right!!! Which is so contradictory, considering where I’m coming from). I sound sooooo Sex and the City-esque (sorry!!!!). Having someone to share your life with is double the fun, but fun all by yourself is good fun too. And not to mention great friends. So don’t despair, my beautiful friends – the next time your mothers come up to you and harass you about getting married, tell them you can’t help it that you haven’t made up your mind yet.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Per Se
You know the moments in everyday life where one experiences inertia? Well, mine lasted for well over 7 weeks.
My beloved and I “just” came back from an American holiday recently, to New York City. Oh, there is so much to tell, but where do I start? Well, one of the highlights in the States (especially NYC) was the opportunity to eat in some great restaurants. For the record, food in Melbourne is still the best. I think it is because we do so many things so well. And in the States, in my opinion, few things well. But the good ones are SO good. Take Per Se.
I certainly had many expectations of Per Se, being Thomas Keller’s (of The French Laundry) flagship restaurant in New York City, and receiving many accolades in all its eighteen months of operation. It’s almost as if I didn’t feel good enough to be there. I blame it on all the reviews I googled and read with intensity. After much hoo-ha on the day (like getting a suit for my beloved else he wouldn’t be admitted, because we didn’t know we had a confirmed reservation until the night before), we finally entered the beautiful space that was Per Se. My first impression of that place was that someone had drop shitloads into décor and design. Everything was cool and pristine. We were greeted by a lovely woman whose job was solely to take bookings and show us to our table (you don’t get that anymore in Melbourne, I don’t think!).
Our table faced the start of Central Park and Columbus Circle (59th Street). To be honest, I was a little blown away by the whole experience – being jet-lagged, the fact that I was in the most exciting city in the world and sitting next to my favourite person in the world, there was nothing more perfect.
I am no foodie writer, I just love to eat – so I shall spare you the details of the food. Also the fact that the greatness of food is all about personal taste/sense/smell. I do not wish to impart my views on anybody, but rather just my experience of it. It was bloody great!!! My beloved and I ended up choosing the degustation menu, all nine courses of it! We were pleasantly surprised (and that’s hard when one’s hoovered their way through a lot of food!!) when we started with an appetizer (not on the menu) of mini-tuille filled with diced salmon, dill and herbs – every bite was an explosion of taste, one cannot imagine it by just looking at it. We finished the meal with in-house made chocolates, presented on a flat silver plate (and the magic words “You may have as many as you wish” – if only they told us that at the start!), tea/coffee and macaroons. Yum! Another mention to be made was of the numerous staff that was available during the entire meal – a restaurant manager, section waiters, a section manager, a sommelier … all decked out in their Armani suits and fat ties. It was truly bizarre, and perhaps because I am still quite ‘kampung’-ish, it was slightly intimidating. My beloved informed me that it was the old French system. So I suppose it does not get its reputation for nothing.
I also got the opportunity to smell an entire box filled with fresh black truffles (wow!), which the waitress generously accommodated, visiting the kitchens (which was as large as the dining space!). The low was probably having to pay US$8 for sparkling water (a new bottle arrived when the previous was emptied (the Americano way?), and me drinking as if someone was going to leave me in the Sahara desert).
Over three hours later, satisfied and tired (from eating and trying to remember everything), a wad of dollars (actually, it was a shiny plastic), we strolled out onto the sunny streets of New York, caught the subway and made our way downtown. That was our experience of Per Se.
My beloved and I “just” came back from an American holiday recently, to New York City. Oh, there is so much to tell, but where do I start? Well, one of the highlights in the States (especially NYC) was the opportunity to eat in some great restaurants. For the record, food in Melbourne is still the best. I think it is because we do so many things so well. And in the States, in my opinion, few things well. But the good ones are SO good. Take Per Se.
I certainly had many expectations of Per Se, being Thomas Keller’s (of The French Laundry) flagship restaurant in New York City, and receiving many accolades in all its eighteen months of operation. It’s almost as if I didn’t feel good enough to be there. I blame it on all the reviews I googled and read with intensity. After much hoo-ha on the day (like getting a suit for my beloved else he wouldn’t be admitted, because we didn’t know we had a confirmed reservation until the night before), we finally entered the beautiful space that was Per Se. My first impression of that place was that someone had drop shitloads into décor and design. Everything was cool and pristine. We were greeted by a lovely woman whose job was solely to take bookings and show us to our table (you don’t get that anymore in Melbourne, I don’t think!).
Our table faced the start of Central Park and Columbus Circle (59th Street). To be honest, I was a little blown away by the whole experience – being jet-lagged, the fact that I was in the most exciting city in the world and sitting next to my favourite person in the world, there was nothing more perfect.
I am no foodie writer, I just love to eat – so I shall spare you the details of the food. Also the fact that the greatness of food is all about personal taste/sense/smell. I do not wish to impart my views on anybody, but rather just my experience of it. It was bloody great!!! My beloved and I ended up choosing the degustation menu, all nine courses of it! We were pleasantly surprised (and that’s hard when one’s hoovered their way through a lot of food!!) when we started with an appetizer (not on the menu) of mini-tuille filled with diced salmon, dill and herbs – every bite was an explosion of taste, one cannot imagine it by just looking at it. We finished the meal with in-house made chocolates, presented on a flat silver plate (and the magic words “You may have as many as you wish” – if only they told us that at the start!), tea/coffee and macaroons. Yum! Another mention to be made was of the numerous staff that was available during the entire meal – a restaurant manager, section waiters, a section manager, a sommelier … all decked out in their Armani suits and fat ties. It was truly bizarre, and perhaps because I am still quite ‘kampung’-ish, it was slightly intimidating. My beloved informed me that it was the old French system. So I suppose it does not get its reputation for nothing.
I also got the opportunity to smell an entire box filled with fresh black truffles (wow!), which the waitress generously accommodated, visiting the kitchens (which was as large as the dining space!). The low was probably having to pay US$8 for sparkling water (a new bottle arrived when the previous was emptied (the Americano way?), and me drinking as if someone was going to leave me in the Sahara desert).
Over three hours later, satisfied and tired (from eating and trying to remember everything), a wad of dollars (actually, it was a shiny plastic), we strolled out onto the sunny streets of New York, caught the subway and made our way downtown. That was our experience of Per Se.
Friday, June 24, 2005
I'm Leaving... on a Jetplane ...
Let me get this right –
I just drank a Dandelion coffee with chai and soy milk. What is wrong with it? More importantly, I just drank that… what is wrong with me? Well, my defense is that it was just too compelling! Being able to drink my two favourite beverages in combination (chai tea + coffee). Mmmm….. definitely hit the new-age hippie / coffee junket in me BIG time. It was coarse-like (almost like the residue of coffee grounds, but less bitter), with the chai being extremely sharp at the front palate, but with the lingering taste (and breadth!) of coffee.
I am still tossing over whether that was a winner.
Sorry for being so slack lately, I have been overwhelmed with trying to finish off work before I put on my travel shoes and haul my arse to New York / KL. I am very excited, so excited that I have only managed to sleep 4 hours last night! Also because I was worrying about how many things I still had to do before I got on the plane! Argh! So today, I’m slight disoriented. Putting things in the mail without signing the documents, talking gibberish. The fact that I haven’t eaten anything really solid in the last 48 hours might have something to do with it as well.
Anyway, I am off! Packing up the joint now, and I will see all/some most of you when I see you! Ta ta… love ya loads!
I just drank a Dandelion coffee with chai and soy milk. What is wrong with it? More importantly, I just drank that… what is wrong with me? Well, my defense is that it was just too compelling! Being able to drink my two favourite beverages in combination (chai tea + coffee). Mmmm….. definitely hit the new-age hippie / coffee junket in me BIG time. It was coarse-like (almost like the residue of coffee grounds, but less bitter), with the chai being extremely sharp at the front palate, but with the lingering taste (and breadth!) of coffee.
I am still tossing over whether that was a winner.
Sorry for being so slack lately, I have been overwhelmed with trying to finish off work before I put on my travel shoes and haul my arse to New York / KL. I am very excited, so excited that I have only managed to sleep 4 hours last night! Also because I was worrying about how many things I still had to do before I got on the plane! Argh! So today, I’m slight disoriented. Putting things in the mail without signing the documents, talking gibberish. The fact that I haven’t eaten anything really solid in the last 48 hours might have something to do with it as well.
Anyway, I am off! Packing up the joint now, and I will see all/some most of you when I see you! Ta ta… love ya loads!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Rhythm a-go-go
I have been on a music rampage lately. From downloading on K-Lite (naughty naughty) to outright just buying albums. I am supposed to be saving for my NY trip. Gahhhh! And my music has gone all ‘cepelang’ as well - R&B, Kelly Clarkson poppiness, rock, whiny Chris Martin (nerdy and pimply, but cute Mr. Paltrow). Highly recommend the new Foo album and X & Y is pretty excellent as well!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Love lots x x x x
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Love lots x x x x
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Peace and War
Howdy!
I’ve watched many movies lately, including the German film Downfall. It was about the fall of the Third Reich in Nazi Germany (circa 1945), detailing the last week or two before the Germans surrendered to the Russians in Berlin. I can’t claim to be an expert in WWII history, but I know enough for it to be fascinating viewing. The portrayal of Hitler as flesh and blood, instead of his usual salutary figure and that ridiculous moustache – I must admit that just before he blew his own head off, I actually cried. Tears were shed because of the absurdity of his situation, how a once powerful man who convinced an entire nation that the killing of 6 millions Jews was the right thing could not live with his own destructibility and his own delusions. How the people by his side loved him only because they didn’t know any better.
The director was heavily criticised for this portrayal of Hitler of anything other than a megalomaniac, but I think people who choose to watch this film would already know, that no matter how you paint ol’ Adolf, it wasn’t going to change your perception of the war, or of him. As I walked out of the theatre, there was only a sense of completeness. That the madness was finished. And then I thought, “Was it?” – think of the war in the Middle East, the civil wars in Africa. People will keep recycling, but the same old issues prevail. It feels as if we haven’t really come very far from ancient times of war. It just disguises under a different name. The new wave of colonialism is just less evident, but even more persistent and deadly. Because the world gets bigger, we get smaller, and hence, more insignificant. There is a quiet desperation for peace, and it makes me wonder as to what lengths does one need to go to make that happen.
For more information on the movie, click Downfall
I’ve watched many movies lately, including the German film Downfall. It was about the fall of the Third Reich in Nazi Germany (circa 1945), detailing the last week or two before the Germans surrendered to the Russians in Berlin. I can’t claim to be an expert in WWII history, but I know enough for it to be fascinating viewing. The portrayal of Hitler as flesh and blood, instead of his usual salutary figure and that ridiculous moustache – I must admit that just before he blew his own head off, I actually cried. Tears were shed because of the absurdity of his situation, how a once powerful man who convinced an entire nation that the killing of 6 millions Jews was the right thing could not live with his own destructibility and his own delusions. How the people by his side loved him only because they didn’t know any better.
The director was heavily criticised for this portrayal of Hitler of anything other than a megalomaniac, but I think people who choose to watch this film would already know, that no matter how you paint ol’ Adolf, it wasn’t going to change your perception of the war, or of him. As I walked out of the theatre, there was only a sense of completeness. That the madness was finished. And then I thought, “Was it?” – think of the war in the Middle East, the civil wars in Africa. People will keep recycling, but the same old issues prevail. It feels as if we haven’t really come very far from ancient times of war. It just disguises under a different name. The new wave of colonialism is just less evident, but even more persistent and deadly. Because the world gets bigger, we get smaller, and hence, more insignificant. There is a quiet desperation for peace, and it makes me wonder as to what lengths does one need to go to make that happen.
For more information on the movie, click Downfall
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Of love and obsession
I fall completely in love about once every two weeks. Her name is Ella and she is my niece. She is 8 months old, and slightly over 50cm tall, but boy, is she a charmer. Today was an utterly satisfying day, because not only was I graced with her presence, but she somehow always makes my day (or whatever is left of it) sunny and beautiful (think The Truman Show) - it is in fact, a part gray and overcast day. She has the BEST smile and smells great. What is it about the simplicity of a child’s innocence and utter joy that I feel so drawn towards? Perhaps because I know the world is sometimes such an awful place, and to know she is going to grow up with the shit we leave behind makes my heart twinge a little (or issit my conscience?). But at the same time comforted to know that perhaps she might make a difference one day, as she makes mine every time I see her. It is like magic – I love that she pulls my hair constantly only to want to put it in her mouth. I am a familiar foreign object to her, all wonderful and strange. I love the way she slobbers over my nose with her cherub lips and breaks into the cheekiest grin, that you wonder she must know something that we don’t. That life is wonderful, that I am wonderful… she makes me feel wonderful anyway. I just wanted to share that, that’s all.
On another note, I have a slightly strange obsession about garbage. The waste disposal methods in my apartment involves trudging down to the car park in the basement (often done hurriedly because a/ the plastic bag with leftover sardine juice might burst, b/ you’re carrying something really foul and don’t want anyone knowing you’re the culprit for stinking up the entire bin, c/ you’re wearing the t-shirt that your mother made you throw out when you were 13, only you didn’t!! or d/ you couldn’t be bothered to brush your teeth). Either way it’s always a hurried affair – the quick left/right glance, two-step-at-a-time down the stairs kinda dance. But we are digressing from my point – the point is I like to see what people have thrown out. Yes, I confess. And I like to guess which apartment it came from. You can always tell who had the big weekend (boxes of empty VB stubbies and wine bottles), or someone’s moved in/out (Ikea flat boxes). Often I find inspiration from Ikea packages – they always have strange names for lamps “Lanvits” or “Rxptem” or something of that kind. And I think ‘Oh I need one of those’. I don’t of course, because really, who needs another shitty stainless steel 11W (equivalent 60W) table lamp that costs $16 (a bargain!!)? Now if you talk about a ‘Billy’ bookcase, that’s another story all together. Because Billy is just so much more humane, like someone you could relate to. I wish I knew who it was that name Ikea furniture – do you think Ikea actually advertises for a position “Wanted: Homewares Labeller – knowing how to spell not essential.” I want to smack the bloody wanker who made me think these useless thoughts, and then smack him/her again for making me smack them.
And all because I walked past the rubbish tip tonight.
On another note, I have a slightly strange obsession about garbage. The waste disposal methods in my apartment involves trudging down to the car park in the basement (often done hurriedly because a/ the plastic bag with leftover sardine juice might burst, b/ you’re carrying something really foul and don’t want anyone knowing you’re the culprit for stinking up the entire bin, c/ you’re wearing the t-shirt that your mother made you throw out when you were 13, only you didn’t!! or d/ you couldn’t be bothered to brush your teeth). Either way it’s always a hurried affair – the quick left/right glance, two-step-at-a-time down the stairs kinda dance. But we are digressing from my point – the point is I like to see what people have thrown out. Yes, I confess. And I like to guess which apartment it came from. You can always tell who had the big weekend (boxes of empty VB stubbies and wine bottles), or someone’s moved in/out (Ikea flat boxes). Often I find inspiration from Ikea packages – they always have strange names for lamps “Lanvits” or “Rxptem” or something of that kind. And I think ‘Oh I need one of those’. I don’t of course, because really, who needs another shitty stainless steel 11W (equivalent 60W) table lamp that costs $16 (a bargain!!)? Now if you talk about a ‘Billy’ bookcase, that’s another story all together. Because Billy is just so much more humane, like someone you could relate to. I wish I knew who it was that name Ikea furniture – do you think Ikea actually advertises for a position “Wanted: Homewares Labeller – knowing how to spell not essential.” I want to smack the bloody wanker who made me think these useless thoughts, and then smack him/her again for making me smack them.
And all because I walked past the rubbish tip tonight.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Pesto pasta of prawn, mushrooms, spinach and carrots
Developed in mid-conversation this morning, whilst my beloved was taking a shower. Inspirational quote “What is going rotten in the fridge?” – the only thing I bought was the prawns for this dish.
Ingredients:
Pasta shells
King prawns, shelled and deveined
Bag of mushrooms, sliced
Bag of spinach
2 large carrots, cut into chunks
1 bottle of good pesto
Good olive oil
Sea salt & pepper, seasoning
Directions:
Rinse the prawns (I bought them frozen from Chinese supermarket). After making sure they are relatively dry, sprinkle generously with white pepper, sea salt and olive oil. Coat all prawns and leave aside for 10 mins (at least).
Slice mushrooms. Heat (medium) up a pan with good olive oil, and sauté the mushrooms until they turn black and wilt. Add some water or stock if you prefer. There is usually a lot of moisture, but don’t stop there! Keep cooking the mushrooms until the water is absorbed back into the mushrooms. Scoop onto a dish and set aside. You will find that the cooked mushrooms are now 1/3 of its uncooked size. (That’s ok, just budget for 3 times as much next time! :) ).
Cut the carrots into chunks. I found the best way to cook carrots is actually in the microwave. Put them in a bowl, glad wrap and 3 minutes (HIGH). After 3 minutes, remove and toss. Put back into the microwave for 2.5mins (HIGH). Leave in microwave until needed.
Bunging the pasta (I am the worst offender for pasta sticking!).
If using a bag of 500g pasta, I find that 1.5 litre of water, boiling rapidly in a deep pot, with a good dash of oil (cheapo, like canola) and good sprinkle of table salt is foolproof (or just Ai-Ling-proof). Funnies aside, make sure all the above is happening before you throw in the pasta. Bung the pasta for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. If using fresh pasta, 3 – 5 minutes is enough. Sample one, the texture should be sort of chewy & soft but still firm, and not make you want to drink water afterwards (or otherwise known as al dente).
In a hot wok or pan, quickly stir-fry the prawns. This should only take about 5 minutes, or until the prawns turn colour.
In the last few minutes of cooking the pasta, place the spinach above the steaming pot (in a colander or similar) and let the spinach wilt. Drain excess moisture from the spinach.
Throw the cooked pasta, spinach, mushrooms and carrots into the wok with the prawns. Mix everything well with pesto, adding more olive oil if needed.
Serve in a bowl to your lucky dinner buddy. Hand them a spoon and ask them to start shovelling.
Ingredients:
Pasta shells
King prawns, shelled and deveined
Bag of mushrooms, sliced
Bag of spinach
2 large carrots, cut into chunks
1 bottle of good pesto
Good olive oil
Sea salt & pepper, seasoning
Directions:
Rinse the prawns (I bought them frozen from Chinese supermarket). After making sure they are relatively dry, sprinkle generously with white pepper, sea salt and olive oil. Coat all prawns and leave aside for 10 mins (at least).
Slice mushrooms. Heat (medium) up a pan with good olive oil, and sauté the mushrooms until they turn black and wilt. Add some water or stock if you prefer. There is usually a lot of moisture, but don’t stop there! Keep cooking the mushrooms until the water is absorbed back into the mushrooms. Scoop onto a dish and set aside. You will find that the cooked mushrooms are now 1/3 of its uncooked size. (That’s ok, just budget for 3 times as much next time! :) ).
Cut the carrots into chunks. I found the best way to cook carrots is actually in the microwave. Put them in a bowl, glad wrap and 3 minutes (HIGH). After 3 minutes, remove and toss. Put back into the microwave for 2.5mins (HIGH). Leave in microwave until needed.
Bunging the pasta (I am the worst offender for pasta sticking!).
If using a bag of 500g pasta, I find that 1.5 litre of water, boiling rapidly in a deep pot, with a good dash of oil (cheapo, like canola) and good sprinkle of table salt is foolproof (or just Ai-Ling-proof). Funnies aside, make sure all the above is happening before you throw in the pasta. Bung the pasta for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. If using fresh pasta, 3 – 5 minutes is enough. Sample one, the texture should be sort of chewy & soft but still firm, and not make you want to drink water afterwards (or otherwise known as al dente).
In a hot wok or pan, quickly stir-fry the prawns. This should only take about 5 minutes, or until the prawns turn colour.
In the last few minutes of cooking the pasta, place the spinach above the steaming pot (in a colander or similar) and let the spinach wilt. Drain excess moisture from the spinach.
Throw the cooked pasta, spinach, mushrooms and carrots into the wok with the prawns. Mix everything well with pesto, adding more olive oil if needed.
Serve in a bowl to your lucky dinner buddy. Hand them a spoon and ask them to start shovelling.
A day of domesticity
Time: 4.48pm
Day: Rainy Wednesday
Location: home
Playing: Ben Lee (Awake is the New Sleep)
For the first time for a long time, I took a sickie today. I have been battling some sort of evil New Zealand strand flu virus (self-diagnosed, with snippets from the news of what is going around at the mo) for the better of 2 weeks, and I decided that today, after many days of soldering on to the office, and having likely given everyone else at work a run for their immune system, I decided to stay home. It was probably the best decision I’ve made in the last week or so. Hmm… says a lot doesn’t it?
Anyways, I made my beloved breakfast (porridge and tea), got in the car to do some errands, and dropped the boy at school. Did I mention I am sick? Well yes, being sick as a adult is obviously a far cry from the days my mum taking me to Dr Yap in Petaling Jaya (because he WAS the only doctor that made me better), and going home and getting fed porridge. Being sick, and being an adult involves wagging work, so that you can get some rest… pay the bills, pick up groceries, fold the laundry, rearrange the drawers, wipe every surface in the house (because dust magically appears over every damn thing that isn’t covered!), and make dinner. Phew!! Nigella might call this “Domestic Goddess-ness”, but honestly, it’s left me feeling like a part-time Maria with a head cold.
Okay, so it wasn’t that bad. I did lie on the couch and watch a DVD and flick channels (daytime TeeVee sux big time!), had 2 cups of coffee and did some more lying. What I also managed to do was sort out my bookshelves which has been on my to-do list only since 2003. Tick.
My next task after writing this blog – Attack of the VISA Card Bills. That’s right guys, I am finally going to sort out my spending habit for the last year. NO, I am not a control freak, I am an accountant. And I just can’t think of what else to do (lightning striking somewhere in the world). Oh yes. Also been meaning to load up a whole bunch of photos, but that’s just too scary. Maybe another day…
That’s it from me now.
Big shout out to Johann- Hey babes, thanks for the big wrap on your blog. I am so glad you decided to start one because I love your mind!!!!! Mr. Left-field over here! Can’t wait to read your stuff. Of course, nothing beats the real thing, but I’ll take it anyway.
x
Day: Rainy Wednesday
Location: home
Playing: Ben Lee (Awake is the New Sleep)
For the first time for a long time, I took a sickie today. I have been battling some sort of evil New Zealand strand flu virus (self-diagnosed, with snippets from the news of what is going around at the mo) for the better of 2 weeks, and I decided that today, after many days of soldering on to the office, and having likely given everyone else at work a run for their immune system, I decided to stay home. It was probably the best decision I’ve made in the last week or so. Hmm… says a lot doesn’t it?
Anyways, I made my beloved breakfast (porridge and tea), got in the car to do some errands, and dropped the boy at school. Did I mention I am sick? Well yes, being sick as a adult is obviously a far cry from the days my mum taking me to Dr Yap in Petaling Jaya (because he WAS the only doctor that made me better), and going home and getting fed porridge. Being sick, and being an adult involves wagging work, so that you can get some rest… pay the bills, pick up groceries, fold the laundry, rearrange the drawers, wipe every surface in the house (because dust magically appears over every damn thing that isn’t covered!), and make dinner. Phew!! Nigella might call this “Domestic Goddess-ness”, but honestly, it’s left me feeling like a part-time Maria with a head cold.
Okay, so it wasn’t that bad. I did lie on the couch and watch a DVD and flick channels (daytime TeeVee sux big time!), had 2 cups of coffee and did some more lying. What I also managed to do was sort out my bookshelves which has been on my to-do list only since 2003. Tick.
My next task after writing this blog – Attack of the VISA Card Bills. That’s right guys, I am finally going to sort out my spending habit for the last year. NO, I am not a control freak, I am an accountant. And I just can’t think of what else to do (lightning striking somewhere in the world). Oh yes. Also been meaning to load up a whole bunch of photos, but that’s just too scary. Maybe another day…
That’s it from me now.
Big shout out to Johann- Hey babes, thanks for the big wrap on your blog. I am so glad you decided to start one because I love your mind!!!!! Mr. Left-field over here! Can’t wait to read your stuff. Of course, nothing beats the real thing, but I’ll take it anyway.
x
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Sniffly girl.
Hi hi! It’s 1am on a Sunday morning, I am surfing away on the internet, whilst my beloved is watching Rage on telly. Interesting stuff. For all those who never spent time in Aussie-land, and had the pleasure to watch telly here, Rage is a music program that runs on weekends only (Fri & Sat days, midnight – 8am). I have only watched the entire segment three times in all my 8 years here! My beloved is also especially pleased these days as they have American World Championship Poker on every Saturday night. Me thinks he secretly likes to be a good card player – or learn to be a master in bullshit artistry.
I am also at the moment, suffering from the sniffles. I think I must have sneezed out about a pound of snot, and my nose is raw and red, and still leaking. Dammit! I’ve said this countless times - the weather here is shite! Hot all the way till the end of April, and bang! suddenly we are down to 2 degrees in the mornings. Freaking great!
Btw (by the way), big thank you to all those who trotted along to watch Star Wars with me on Friday night. I am very contented at the moment, though the thought of rushing out to rent A New Hope did spring to mind a couple of times this morning. I have been disallowed by my beloved, who thinks I’m obsessed. I am.
I also have the tendency to think a lot when I’m ill (mainly along the lines of “fuck, why do I have to be sick?”, “I wonder if I can detach my nose and put it in a glass of water beside my electric toothbrush till it stops leaking”). You know, normal stuff. No, I am actually thinking of how much injustice there is in this world. About being human. Having morals. About why people with power often do stupid things with them. Use and abuse. It makes me really angry. And sort of useless.
Anyways, I am off to bed already. My fingers and toes are cold as ice, and there no better place to be but under the doona. Be happy everyone, tell that someone you love them!
I am also at the moment, suffering from the sniffles. I think I must have sneezed out about a pound of snot, and my nose is raw and red, and still leaking. Dammit! I’ve said this countless times - the weather here is shite! Hot all the way till the end of April, and bang! suddenly we are down to 2 degrees in the mornings. Freaking great!
Btw (by the way), big thank you to all those who trotted along to watch Star Wars with me on Friday night. I am very contented at the moment, though the thought of rushing out to rent A New Hope did spring to mind a couple of times this morning. I have been disallowed by my beloved, who thinks I’m obsessed. I am.
I also have the tendency to think a lot when I’m ill (mainly along the lines of “fuck, why do I have to be sick?”, “I wonder if I can detach my nose and put it in a glass of water beside my electric toothbrush till it stops leaking”). You know, normal stuff. No, I am actually thinking of how much injustice there is in this world. About being human. Having morals. About why people with power often do stupid things with them. Use and abuse. It makes me really angry. And sort of useless.
Anyways, I am off to bed already. My fingers and toes are cold as ice, and there no better place to be but under the doona. Be happy everyone, tell that someone you love them!
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
A bit of a spew
Hi all! I am fast wondering if I should be abandoning this idea of keeping a blog. It’s not that I have nothing to say – it’s more like I have nothing useful to contribute to the world. What would all my whining and whinging do for this world? I am sitting in front of a computer writing! I mean, at some point in my life, I envision myself going over to Africa or India volunteering for World Vision or something. Or maybe to Haiti to visit my sponsor child. Or maybe volunteering my time to a ‘cause’. But it just feels like hard work. How selfish does that sound? See, this has been my kinda week. My subconscious drifting in and out these useless thoughts, on a daily basis – now that I’m 26, I’m officially over the ‘young 20s’, not over the hill, but the next crucial 5 years before you officially have to start tut-tting at young, irresponsible 18-yr-olds (apologies to those who are 18, I truly am envious!). What does one do if they do not want to get married and have babies? I can’t watch the news anymore, it’s so depressing. I can’t wait to get over this blah stage.
By the way, I have a compelling urge to say this – May the Force Be With You. The final instalment of George Lucas’s Star Wars is upon us. Whilst I’m really eager to watch it, I don’t want it to end. In truth, it’s not the end, because then you go the video store and get A New Hope. But to make the final instalment a big baddie!! Woarr… I suppose it’s a good marketing ploy. And something so enticing about the dark side…AND a really yummy actor to boot. I’ve read reviews that Lucas has finally stopped writing crappy love lines (thank GOD!). I quote Harrison Ford “You can read this on a script, George, but you can’t say this shit”.
I hope I’m in a better mood by the end of the week.
By the way, I have a compelling urge to say this – May the Force Be With You. The final instalment of George Lucas’s Star Wars is upon us. Whilst I’m really eager to watch it, I don’t want it to end. In truth, it’s not the end, because then you go the video store and get A New Hope. But to make the final instalment a big baddie!! Woarr… I suppose it’s a good marketing ploy. And something so enticing about the dark side…AND a really yummy actor to boot. I’ve read reviews that Lucas has finally stopped writing crappy love lines (thank GOD!). I quote Harrison Ford “You can read this on a script, George, but you can’t say this shit”.
I hope I’m in a better mood by the end of the week.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
"The Emancipation of Ai-Ling"
May 10, 2005
MAY 6 will now forever be a special date for me. My day of freedom, to know I never need to open another book that deals with accounting, IF I choose not to. You see, now in my newfound freedom state, I’ve had time to ponder the aftermath of a 3-year CA battle. It wasn’t any particular rocket science. But asking a 20-something to voluntarily lock oneself away every week night and weekend studying over 20 hours a week (at least) whilst holding a full time job AND try to have a life? This is what you get instead – resentment, anger, self-pity, whiny comments like “why is everyone having more fun than me?”, mood swings that can swing an axe… well, you get the picture.
But when it’s all said and done… hey, I’m glad I did it. I fulfilled a promise I made to myself when I was still at school (I’ve since learnt that what you want as a kid, is not necessarily as attainable as first seemed!). I now have time to explore other pleasures in life – food, music, travel and art. My first stop, New York City this July to visit my best friend. It’s only been 4 years since I’ve said I’d visit!
I am a CA people, speak now or forever hold your peace. We will never utter that word again!! For all those who stood by me and always told me to just “get on with it”, THANK YOU very much because you always knew that all I needed was a whinge!!
p/s: I would like to personally thank Amy for the subject Title :) Cool cut btw, Mei!
MAY 6 will now forever be a special date for me. My day of freedom, to know I never need to open another book that deals with accounting, IF I choose not to. You see, now in my newfound freedom state, I’ve had time to ponder the aftermath of a 3-year CA battle. It wasn’t any particular rocket science. But asking a 20-something to voluntarily lock oneself away every week night and weekend studying over 20 hours a week (at least) whilst holding a full time job AND try to have a life? This is what you get instead – resentment, anger, self-pity, whiny comments like “why is everyone having more fun than me?”, mood swings that can swing an axe… well, you get the picture.
But when it’s all said and done… hey, I’m glad I did it. I fulfilled a promise I made to myself when I was still at school (I’ve since learnt that what you want as a kid, is not necessarily as attainable as first seemed!). I now have time to explore other pleasures in life – food, music, travel and art. My first stop, New York City this July to visit my best friend. It’s only been 4 years since I’ve said I’d visit!
I am a CA people, speak now or forever hold your peace. We will never utter that word again!! For all those who stood by me and always told me to just “get on with it”, THANK YOU very much because you always knew that all I needed was a whinge!!
p/s: I would like to personally thank Amy for the subject Title :) Cool cut btw, Mei!
Monday, April 18, 2005
The mis-opportune time of the "har gau" and beautiful arvo at the footy...
Hiya! I think some of you may think i bang on way too much about the weather. But please, it's mid-april, and we got 28 degrees weather yesterday!!! Heyyylooooo!!! Thank god I actually had the sense to move my butt and get out. Actually to be more precise, i didn't really have a choice. The footy was on. Yes, you heard me. My beloved is an ardent fan of AFL rules, and especially his team St Kilda (more affectionately known as the Saints, Sainters said with vigor!). I truly believe his love of the game is greater than the one he has for me. But honestly, if i ran a close second, i'm doing pretty good!!
Anyway, we ventured out around midday for a bit of yum cha, and because it was lunchtime and the most popular time when people crawl out of their drunken state, we were devoid the choice of sitting in the main restaurant and instead had to sit in the next door restaurant, which i knew were only let to them every weekend to supplement the seating spaces. And I was PISSED off!! That meant they needed to drag the carts ladened with hot yummy food 10 metres OUTSIDE the restaurant into Siberia-land (us), and we weren't necessarily going to get the entire selection. Arrggghhhhh!!!
Despite this, we sat down. David had his chicken feet, so he was all pleased and happy sitting at his corner spitting chicken bones into his bowl. Note: two things i need to have at yum cha - "har gau" and "tau fu fah". In the first 5 minutes, a young girl came strolling in with a whole cart of steaming racks. She presented "siew mai" to the next table, and i thought "YES! Maybe this is so bad afterall", because I know that 'siew mai' always came alongside 'har gau'. Anyway, I was looking expectantly at her... and she STROLLED off!!! I mean, SHE STROLLED off! Without looking at me, without offerring me MY 'har gau'!!! I looked at David and mid-spit of chicken bones, i exclaimed to him that I was never coming back to eat her if we had to sit where we sat today!! He did the smart thing and agreed.
The end of this lunch fiasco was that the 'har gau' was finally presented to me when i've already had the chives, seafood, scallop, mixed seafood, scallop/tofu dumplings. Along with 'char siew bao' and various other things. I looked at the girl offering me, heard my stomach protest that it couldn't possibly fit another dumpling, and declined. Story of my life.
Luckily, the Saints went on to beat the Melbourne Demons by 47 points. Now that's payback!
We had a lovely afternoon afterall, and all because 22 boys ran about the field kicking a ball. Will wonders never cease!!!
p/s: The St Kilda Football Club (SKFC) has been tipped likely premiers of 2005. They have not won a premiership since 1966.
Anyway, we ventured out around midday for a bit of yum cha, and because it was lunchtime and the most popular time when people crawl out of their drunken state, we were devoid the choice of sitting in the main restaurant and instead had to sit in the next door restaurant, which i knew were only let to them every weekend to supplement the seating spaces. And I was PISSED off!! That meant they needed to drag the carts ladened with hot yummy food 10 metres OUTSIDE the restaurant into Siberia-land (us), and we weren't necessarily going to get the entire selection. Arrggghhhhh!!!
Despite this, we sat down. David had his chicken feet, so he was all pleased and happy sitting at his corner spitting chicken bones into his bowl. Note: two things i need to have at yum cha - "har gau" and "tau fu fah". In the first 5 minutes, a young girl came strolling in with a whole cart of steaming racks. She presented "siew mai" to the next table, and i thought "YES! Maybe this is so bad afterall", because I know that 'siew mai' always came alongside 'har gau'. Anyway, I was looking expectantly at her... and she STROLLED off!!! I mean, SHE STROLLED off! Without looking at me, without offerring me MY 'har gau'!!! I looked at David and mid-spit of chicken bones, i exclaimed to him that I was never coming back to eat her if we had to sit where we sat today!! He did the smart thing and agreed.
The end of this lunch fiasco was that the 'har gau' was finally presented to me when i've already had the chives, seafood, scallop, mixed seafood, scallop/tofu dumplings. Along with 'char siew bao' and various other things. I looked at the girl offering me, heard my stomach protest that it couldn't possibly fit another dumpling, and declined. Story of my life.
Luckily, the Saints went on to beat the Melbourne Demons by 47 points. Now that's payback!
We had a lovely afternoon afterall, and all because 22 boys ran about the field kicking a ball. Will wonders never cease!!!
p/s: The St Kilda Football Club (SKFC) has been tipped likely premiers of 2005. They have not won a premiership since 1966.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Finally... my first Saturday morning class
I am FINALLY going to make it to my first weekend yoga class tomorrow. My bags are all packed, my runners are out! There is no turning back now.
For all of you who don't know, I have been seriously neglecting this part of my life a fair bit for the past 15 months - there always seems to be excuses: 'I have to study ---'. Well, now that exams are over for a little over 3 weeks, I'm still mustering the strength and the discipline. This has left me pondering - I am just FULL of excuses. Procrastinator, procrastinator, procrastinator! If i was talking to myself, i would have given myself an earful. Meanwhile, the stretch marks on my thighs are getting more visible...but that's another story!
I began yoga when I was first at university (or so I thought). I say this because I went back to KL a few years ago and was flicking through my mum's bookcase and found a book (!!) in black and white, thick white vinyl binding, and lo and behold, it was a yoga book. But not JUST any yoga book, it was a book i THOUGHT was an exercise book back when i was 14 years old. I used to lock myself in my room on days when i had no tuition class and did all these breathing exercises and then proceeded to get into all those weird and wonderful poses that were supposed to open up your 'energy' (NOW i get it!). Mind you, I always flicked the last half of the book, cos there was NO way i could put my legs over my shoulders and smile at the same time. So i did the next best thing - I sat like the Buddha (also known as the Lotus pose).
I really appreciate yoga, not only for it's exercise benefits but the fact that i had spent years running for 30 - 40 minutes on the treadmill (I still do, but I have no pangs of guilt if i don't), doing high intervals of bicep and tricep curls and still never felt I had the body I wanted. Fact is, I still don't, but with yoga I found out how all those girls with fantastic triceps got there. They locked themselves up in their room on the days they had no tuition classes and actually attempted the damn poses of the last half of MY mother's secret yoga book!!!!! If only someone had told me.
My friend Hun Yew calls the flappy bits under my arms the "musjheys", and i used to be secretly horrified. They still wobble these days, but I knew that if i mustered up my strength and discipline and get my arse to yoga 3 times a week, they would wobble no more.
I am NOT that obsessed with my triceps. No, really..... :)
So, did i mention that i am SO glad i'm FINALLY going to yoga class on the weekend? DId i also mention I'm going because my beloved has to go to work, leaving me with a Saturday with nothing to do? Oh well, any sort of motivation will do.
For all of you who don't know, I have been seriously neglecting this part of my life a fair bit for the past 15 months - there always seems to be excuses: 'I have to study ---'. Well, now that exams are over for a little over 3 weeks, I'm still mustering the strength and the discipline. This has left me pondering - I am just FULL of excuses. Procrastinator, procrastinator, procrastinator! If i was talking to myself, i would have given myself an earful. Meanwhile, the stretch marks on my thighs are getting more visible...but that's another story!
I began yoga when I was first at university (or so I thought). I say this because I went back to KL a few years ago and was flicking through my mum's bookcase and found a book (!!) in black and white, thick white vinyl binding, and lo and behold, it was a yoga book. But not JUST any yoga book, it was a book i THOUGHT was an exercise book back when i was 14 years old. I used to lock myself in my room on days when i had no tuition class and did all these breathing exercises and then proceeded to get into all those weird and wonderful poses that were supposed to open up your 'energy' (NOW i get it!). Mind you, I always flicked the last half of the book, cos there was NO way i could put my legs over my shoulders and smile at the same time. So i did the next best thing - I sat like the Buddha (also known as the Lotus pose).
I really appreciate yoga, not only for it's exercise benefits but the fact that i had spent years running for 30 - 40 minutes on the treadmill (I still do, but I have no pangs of guilt if i don't), doing high intervals of bicep and tricep curls and still never felt I had the body I wanted. Fact is, I still don't, but with yoga I found out how all those girls with fantastic triceps got there. They locked themselves up in their room on the days they had no tuition classes and actually attempted the damn poses of the last half of MY mother's secret yoga book!!!!! If only someone had told me.
My friend Hun Yew calls the flappy bits under my arms the "musjheys", and i used to be secretly horrified. They still wobble these days, but I knew that if i mustered up my strength and discipline and get my arse to yoga 3 times a week, they would wobble no more.
I am NOT that obsessed with my triceps. No, really..... :)
So, did i mention that i am SO glad i'm FINALLY going to yoga class on the weekend? DId i also mention I'm going because my beloved has to go to work, leaving me with a Saturday with nothing to do? Oh well, any sort of motivation will do.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
The first time
The first time...
I was in the loo one particular Sunday with the weekend paper's usual lift out magazine. There was a small statistical article (i love those!) stating that something like 91% of internet users have a blog. Well guess what? Make that 91.000000000001%, 'cos my friend Amy's just introduced me to it. And you're reading it.... anyway, well... i'm excited!!! It's pretty cool, i love the idea of coming back 12 months later and reading my sometimes insane, but mostly inert mind these days. Just my kinda therapy - lonely and self-obsessive.
It is a warmish, unusual Wednesday for April. It's usually freezing cold now in Melbourne, but for some reason it's warm warm warm. And we've been having this sort of weather for the last 14 days, with the occasional cold mornings. But it's just strange - i've always had this thing with the weather. I never know what it's gonna be next. Hey, maybe that's why we have the Weather Bureau Statistics.
Okay, so i'm tired. From doing nothing all day. Work is monotonous, and i'm been trying to stretch my last half hour at work by pretending to be really absorbed by what I'm doing (but i'm acutally typing this!). Well, guess what? The boss is never getting this URL!
Success! There's 1 minute till i pack my bags. So i guess this is it for now.
I was in the loo one particular Sunday with the weekend paper's usual lift out magazine. There was a small statistical article (i love those!) stating that something like 91% of internet users have a blog. Well guess what? Make that 91.000000000001%, 'cos my friend Amy's just introduced me to it. And you're reading it.... anyway, well... i'm excited!!! It's pretty cool, i love the idea of coming back 12 months later and reading my sometimes insane, but mostly inert mind these days. Just my kinda therapy - lonely and self-obsessive.
It is a warmish, unusual Wednesday for April. It's usually freezing cold now in Melbourne, but for some reason it's warm warm warm. And we've been having this sort of weather for the last 14 days, with the occasional cold mornings. But it's just strange - i've always had this thing with the weather. I never know what it's gonna be next. Hey, maybe that's why we have the Weather Bureau Statistics.
Okay, so i'm tired. From doing nothing all day. Work is monotonous, and i'm been trying to stretch my last half hour at work by pretending to be really absorbed by what I'm doing (but i'm acutally typing this!). Well, guess what? The boss is never getting this URL!
Success! There's 1 minute till i pack my bags. So i guess this is it for now.
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