Opening My World Up - Through Food

When I was much much younger I used to hate vegetable, especially those which are pale green in colour. It also explains why I was so round and chubby as a young kid, haha. No one tells me to hate them but somehow I just got this restriction programmed in my system. Topping my fear list was celery!!! My ‘processor’ registered it as ‘so-VERY-raw’. My Mom and sisters used to cook and eat trees and trees and trees of celery! Later, somehow during my first visit to American Chillies’, I got to try their celery dipped with honey mustard. My eyes were lighted up with a different perception. I wasn’t sure I love it, but after a few more encounters, my hate has turned into love and now, C-R-A-Z-E! Not that because it sounds like salary (which I do love to have in abundance), I just grow to like it so much that other greens would pose a no-challenge anymore. Why??

Another classic example was salmon sashimi. I remember during my first ever trip to Hong Kong with my Dad and two of my fellow buddies, TC & KW. Dinner on the first night was exciting, as we explored this market of fresh seafood before getting them cooked in the restaurant nearby. There we were sitting in front of this thick piece of orange-looking fish. Being not exposed to such luxury at young age, we were with the thought, ‘what on earth can fish be in orange??!’ There we were, closing our doors to such quirk of fate. Remember my first bite almost ended up with me throwing up, but to my Dad’s stern warning (“it’s very expensive, u better not!!”), I gulped it up with flows of water. Another ‘what-on-earth-can-fish-tastes-so… creamy?!!’ thought ran through my mind. My buddies had similar tough time keeping up with nature. Subsequently, I went over to Australia to pursue my study. It happened that my housemates and uni friends were extreme sushi freak. I was ‘forced’ to join them in this weekly affair. Somehow I was also curious how second encounter with salmon sashimi would end up (or throw-up – yes, a type of challenge). “What?? You don’t eat this??” lamented everyone. Being forced to conform, I had to agree with them. But after a few times, ironic as it may be, I have grown to love it so much I would save hard-earned money to enjoy it. Now, not only do I love salmon sashimi, I love every other fishes or ‘things’ that come raw. Sorry, I should re-phrase – I would love every kind of food. No, I should re-re-phrase – I would love every kind of food, drinks, music, hobbies, interests, yada yada yada. Yes, I do. Why??

I am no philosopher, but such coincidences and irony got me to think that:

‘Everything on earth is there for a reason; as long as you are not closed to accept how things are, you can see, hear, touch, taste, feel a lot more, and learn to love
more’

Or laymen-ly to explain, if MINORITY of people out there enjoy something so much, it doesn’t make them fools or weirdos, which the majority would brand. For me, it only explains how narrow one wants their thoughts to be.

Don’t you think so too? Most of the times, we are so stubborn that we comfortably reject things without offering a second glance. I used to too… but now I’m glad I can write this down and pledge that I will never would.

Nothing now ever surprises me. Not durian’s ‘stinking aroma’, nor bittergourd’s ‘biting taste’, which certain people would claim. I was that ‘certain people’ too. But now, I belong to those who say durian is ‘fragrant’. It’s ‘fragrant’ – if that’s what you want it to be…. Throw me a dinosour egg, I'll happily swallow it.

Corona Tastes Like Summer Scent

"Crisp yet light, floral summer sight,
Northern stars shine bright;
Escaping reality, exploring fantasy,
beneath the plethora of galaxy;
Living a bliss, dead by a kiss,
the moment was a gust of breeze;
Clasp our hands, back to dreamland,
Beers and summer scent...."

[Disclaimer: Nope, Corona does not taste like summer scent. So as many other things, to many people. Except for two crazy buddies... cheerS! :-D]

Games at Emerald

070323: A group of colleagues recently had a cute time celebrating Vicki’s birthday at her boy-boy’s condo at Emerald. It’s such a cool place. Two words to describe it – urbane & contemporary. Not to mention the artistic interior of Dylan’s shack, by far my top favourite. We utilized the multi-purpose hall to play games we’ve not played for so long – Twister & Pictionary.

My Limbs

070416; 2133:

Six years ago I received my 2nd job’s offer. I was head over heels and hands over mouth. Almost immediately I broke the news to her. She was then my head, heels, hands and mouth. We were virtually inseparable.

Today I received my 4th job’s offer. I still feel that I’m head over heels and hands over mouth. But she’s no longer all those parts of me; maybe only the mouth, which is used for keeping in touch.

Throughout the years, the body parts have faced injuries and undergone surgeries. We have had good times limping together. We have had testing times reconstructing those limbs, on our own exercise – hoping that one day, those flaws may disappear.

It wasn’t easy after 5 years of attachment. But I have had the bliss of new parts growing around me. They have appeared to serve a certain purpose, but may never be as a whole.

Today she asked to be relieved of her exercise. My heart was heavy, but it begged to differ. If we can’t live with what we have, we have to let others to live it. Whatever it turns out to be, life’s a blessing; that no one should take for granted – be it your head, heels, hands or simply, just your mouth.

...

Up to Down, Down to Up?

We've been sensing this call all along, after all that has happened. We shall go up again, but looks like we have to do it individually....

Chocolate Indulgence to Beer Ecstasy – It’s Getting ‘High’ & ‘Higher’

070413: This is not the usual Friday the 13th one would expect. It has probably been more spooky before this date. Anxiety can be scary. But anxious no more, I am finally on my path to another career of great indulgence.

...

Having an ambition of being a true Connoisseur one day (ssshhh…), this career change shall add considerable amount of experience and opportunities to widen the breadth I have under my wings….

But I must pay tribute to all my fellow buddies who have supported and put up with me during this period of prolonged labour

– Alex, Junee, Bee, Woei-Woei, Tomato, Maguro, Potato.

Thanks for giving me the push!

Red Devil’s Red Massacre

070410: The alarm went off at 0330. Half of my mind was half-conscious, another half was still in dreamland. The part which was half-conscious, had a hunch that something good was to happen. It kicked the other half to live.

I switched on the TV. To my shock it was 4-0 at the break! When first-half highlights were replayed, I knew from the moves the form was there. It was such a joy looking at those free-flowing styles, flicks and dummies which were deprived of in modern football. Who wants ‘joga bonito’ (play beautiful) when winning is all that it matters? And which were sorely missed ever since the team of treble-winning ’99.


When the second-half resumed, a sweet MU fanatic aka SaxyCookie messaged me about the good news. Earlier I had a long chat with her till close to midnight. After a tiring day, I thought I wouldn’t find the oomph to even switch on half of my mind. She thought I would not too.

But somehow I was so glad to be part of the history-making moment. Throughout more than a decade of following this team, I have not witnessed such brutal score, not in such an important stage of a major tournament anyway. Not against such a high quality team anyway. Not against an opponent skipper who was so confident that commented ‘after this game, Alex is gonna remember me’.

But I’m glad that SaxyCookie do remember me despite such a long time since we left college. Having an MU lady fanatic brings extra zest to the whole excitement. Two red devils make it a bloodier massacre! Ouch….

(hope she doesn't mind me putting up this cute caricature of her - I can't resist, it's such a work of art)

The Weekly Affair for Grape Juice

070404: We are in danger of setting this as a habit. For the third or fourth consecutive week we’ve been exploring a few nice places in Damansara. But I must admit that sipping on those grape juice is pretty addictive… especially when you have good food to go along. If only they are as cheap as grape juice!

______________

My new love – blue cheese dip

My newer love – bratwurst dipped in mashed potato

The ambassadors

Threesome lovers - for wines, that is

Irish Fun & Cheers

070317: An event full of fun, cheers, shamrocks, greens, games, and foamy tops. It’s a wonderful atmosphere in Hartamas where people of all ages and backgrounds came together and learned the rich, friendly Irish culture. I still can’t understand why there are still wars out there instead of simple fun and cheers like this.

There must be something funny going on

What’s creamy at the top?

It’s a 'World' Up There

070316: 070316: Tonight, at full moon, we broke the ultimate rules of the Sacred Scroll (guarded by the immortal elves, hidden beneath the Valley of Three Wishes). We traveled 22 miles on rocky road to the epicenter of the heartland. We looked up and began our climb 33 levels up a steep mountain path until we reached the point of zenith. A point where every creatures seemed small and tall trees looked dwarf. With shadows of light wading along the lake and new-age sound strumming through the thin winter air, we sipped crisp, light fruity wine with hints of citrus and melon. For a moment, our minds were vacuumed from the hustle bustle below. Everything came to a halt.

Then... slowly… humans appeared. Glasses were formed. The mountain gradually transformed into a structure – a building! We then realized the wine had kicked in and we were back to civilization…?! It was so real… until we returned to our fantasy land again… after we were sound asleep that night.

‘Move On’ by Rain sounds like the new-age sound strumming through the winter air. It’s playing in my head as I captured this moment.

Wines Al Fresco

070210: It has been some time since the bunch came out. So it was a good light session to celebrate Jef’s birthday at this Mont Kiara’s Deli.

In the ((loop))

My gym buddies joined in the fun too

Alien Encounter!

070202: We had an encounter of the weird kind during our lunch at KimGary. We’ve had many times of idako, but this one looks really interesting! Thanks to Ms ‘Tomato’, we had the honour of capturing it vividly through the lens of her new SLR. What an eye-opener.

It attempted to escape... but sigh, it ended sadly

Your friendly UFO researchers

Beers as Fresh as You Can Get

070119: This is everyone’s favourite pub in town. Beers here can’t get any fresher (production is just next door). Privileged visitors tend to get warm and friendly pretty quickly. All thanks to our beer buddies. It is also a day ‘chocolates reunite with beers’.