Kaleidoscope

How to Cook Steak

2012-02-08T22:06:00.001Z

When I was growing up in Malaysia, a steak dinner was a proper treat for my sisters and I. We ate Asian food at home, mainly Indian cuisine (rice, dhal, chicken curry, and so on). At times mum would cook spaghetti bolognaise or chicken nuggets- but steak was not something on the menu.

My dad loved a good steak, so we would go to Castell (I wonder if it's still there- it used to be very near my house in Section 16, near the round-a-bout!), or to The Eagle's Nest at Subang Golf Club for dinner. If anyone in my family ordered a T-Bone steak, the leftovers would always be packed up for my Dachshund, Dickie, who would devour it the second we got home.

Dad would always order it "Medium-rare". These days I eat it medium, and I cook it at home quite a lot. I love to cook, and cooking a proper steak was something I wanted to learn and do well. It is really not difficult at all, you just need to follow a few basic steps:

1. Oil the steak, not the pan. Rub each cut with olive oil and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. No salt, as this will draw the juices out of the meat.

2. The pan needs to be HOT before you put the steak in. Make sure it sizzles when it goes down.

3. Three to three and a half minutes per side (depending on the thickness) will usually do for a medium steak. I use a stop watch for precision.

4. When you put the steak down, do not move it around. Leave it alone for 3.5 minutes. Then turn and leave for a further 3.5 minutes. Do not stab/ move/ disturb it. You may press it down a bit but that's it!

5. REST the steak after cooking. It is very important to include this step so that the juices flow back into the meat. It will make the steak so much more succulent and juicy. Cover with foil if you like, to keep it warm.

That's it! It's ready to eat. Really not that difficult at all. I made steak tonight- so here are some pictures. C got some Sainsbury's Taste The Difference, the cut was a rump steak. Very tasty. I sauteed some organic vegetables (onions, garlic, chilli, courgettes, tomatoes, sugarsnap peas) bought at the weekend from The Creaky Shed grocers to go with it. Normally we would have it with chips, (you can't beat steak frites), but we went carb free as both of us are hitting the beach soon!

*My non-beef eating Hindu relatives, please look away now!*

Oiled, peppered steaks go on the pan.

Turned over. Cooking the second side.

Resting the steaks for 5-10 minutes.

Goes nicely with a glass of Argentinian Malbec. And some ketchup. Why not. I also sprinkled some sea salt on the steaks before serving.

Nice and pink inside.

I would love to hear how you cook steak or any tips you may have- please comment below!

"If we were not meant to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?"

Desiderata

2012-02-06T19:39:00.000Z

I recall reading this when I was about 12 years old. A colleague at work e-mailed it to me the other day, and it brought back memories. Enjoy.

Desiderata (“Desired things”)

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

London Eats

2011-11-21T19:47:00.009Z

Hi there! C and I tried out several new restaurants in London over the last few weeks, and I thought I'd share the experience:

1. Breakfast at The Wolesley

I'd been wanting to have breakfast at the Wolesley for the longest time. I finally booked us in on a Monday morning, as we were both on holiday that week and weren't going away till the Tuesday. The vibe wasn't what I expected: I thought it would be quite "proper"- but it was actually really nice and relaxed, and the food was absolutely delicious. I had the fish cakes with poached eggs on top, and C had the full English. Good quality, well cooked food, and we were full for ages after that, and didn't eat anything till dinner that night! I would definitely recommend the Wolesley to London visitors, as it's in a really nice location as well, near Green Park tube station. After breakfast we walked across Green Park to Buckingham palace to watch the Changing of The Guards (I've lived here 11 years and had not seen it!).

2. Le Gia

Le Gia is a Vietnamese restaurant that I'd been wanting to try out as the reviews were pretty good. The food was authentic (I've been to Vietnam so I can make a fairly decent assessment). I really like Vietnamese food because it is very light and healthy, and generally doesn't contain wheat or dairy. However the restaurant itself was slightly strange I felt: It seemed like a former pub or hotel, with very high ceilings and an enormous bar on one side. It wasn't very cozy, and there were karaoke rooms at the far corner which I thought was a bit odd. Service was incredibly good, and food was fresh, so I will most likely give it another go. I still probably would prefer "Cafe East" in Canada Water, but that doesn't have the best atmosphere either.

3. Cinnamon Club, Old Westminster Library

I found a 2-for-1 deal for the Cinnamon Club on Top Table and thought we'd give it a try. I'd never been to an upmarket Indian restaurant before, so was keen to try it out. The decor was quite colonial: the restaurant is at the Old Westminster Library, so it had a very Anglo-Indian feel to it. I had the tandoori chicken (above) and C had a pork dish. Overall, it was very "chefy" and elements of the food had amazing flavour (in particular the tandoori. C's pork was a little tough though). However, I don't think Indian food is meant to be poncy or upmarket. Which brings me to..

4. Tayyab's

We went to this Pakistani restaurant on Friday night for dinner. I'd been before about a year ago, and really wanted to go again. It did not let us down: the food was excellent, which explains the constant queues and slightly chaotic vibe. It's worth it though. I had made a reservation, and we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seated. I've heard of people having to wait an hour to be seated despite making a reservation though! I think the key is to go in a small group and try to get there early (we got there for 6.30pm).

I've blogged about Tayyab's sister restaurant Needo's last year here. I would say Tayyab's wins.The best dish was the Mixed Grill (pictured), which consisted of lamb chops, chicken tikka and lamb kebabs on a bed of sizzling caramelised onions. All were marinated with lots of delicious spices and cooked to perfection. We also ordered the Chicken Karahi (C's choice) and the Bhindi masala (my choice). It's BYOB, so we had some red wine as well, which C got beforehand from Sainsbury's. Although chaotic, I couldn't fault the service. Our waiter was incredibly helpful and polite. It's not a place to linger, but go there if you want delicious food at amazing value. (Oh, and expect your hair and clothing to smell of sizzling meats long after!).

5. Brunch!

Brunch at.. err.. "Chez Moi". One of my friends came over for a lazy Sunday brunch. I should really do this more- it's so relaxed and really is stress-free entertaining. I did the chipolatas in the oven, and we had eggs "sunny-side up", mushrooms fried in garlic and parsley, fried cherry tomatoes and bacon. Our friend brought yummy pastries from "PAUL" bakery. They were divine. Next time I'll have to organise a pitcher of Bloody Mary as well!

Black and Gold

2011-11-03T19:36:00.001Z

Autumn is here! Everything is gold and red and orange. I love black and gold, (I wear a lot of black clothing with gold accessories), so the gold leaves against the black branches is in my humble opinion, nature at its best!

Guy Fawkes night is this weekend ("Remember, remember, the fifth of November"), with fireworks displays all over London, so there will be even more black and gold to be seen.

Comfort Food

2011-10-09T14:24:00.012+01:00

I've been house-bound for the last couple of weeks with the measles- a long story which I will not go into. Fifteen long days later, I am FINALLY feeling normal again. You know when you've been ill for so long, that you can't remember what it's like to NOT be ill? That's how I felt!

My normal appetite is back (woo!), and this weekend I was craving home-cooked Indian food. We get really authentic Indian food in London, but it's never the same as home recipes. I was ambitious: decided to do three dishes; a Chicken Curry (mum/ grandma's style), a tarka dhal, and an okra (also known as "ladies fingers" in Asia) side dish. All served with rice and chapatti, and mango pickle (mum replenished our stock when she came to Switzerland last month). I also love Geeta's sweet mango chutney from Waitrose. Very different to the sour mango pickle, it is a good contrast. All in all, I was satisfied: It was worth the effort!

Tarka dhal- from Sunil Vijayakar's "30 minute Indian" book.
The ultimate comfort food. Made with red lentils.

Mum's chicken curry (My twist: With sweet potatoes!).

Fried okra cooked with mustard seeds and tamarind paste

Chorizo and Chickpea dish

Recipe from "Easy Living" magazine, October 2011

I made this for dinner on Friday night. I came across the recipe in a magazine, and decided to give it a try (ANYTHING with chorizo is delicious so couldn't go wrong!). It turned out really nice, and it is SO easy to make- takes no more than 10 minutes! All you do is saute onions, garlic and sliced chorizo (it's worth getting good quality chorizo). Then add a can of tomatoes and a can of chickpeas (rinsed and drained) and heat through. Stir in lots of fresh parsley. I added mushrooms as well (not in the recipe). We ate it with special bread I got from the Paul Rhodes bakery in Greenwich- Sour dough rye with sunflower seeds. I'm in love with this bakery. Their brownies are delicious too.

I love lazy Sundays.

To The Present

2011-10-06T15:20:00.000+01:00

First I was dying to finish high school and start college and then
I was dying to finish college and start working and then
I was dying to marry and have children and then
I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work and then
I was dying to retire
And now
I am dying and suddenly I realise that I forgot to live.

- by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Speech to the Young : Speech to the Progress-Toward

2011-10-03T17:52:00.002+01:00

Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers,
"even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night."
You will be right.
For that is the hard home-run.

Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.

- By Gwendolyn Brooks

Scaffolding

2011-09-18T18:57:00.004+01:00

Masons, when they start upon a building,
Are careful to test out the scaffolding;
Make sure that planks won't slip at busy points,
Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints.
And yet all this comes down when the job's done
Showing off walls of sure and solid stone.
So if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be
Old bridges breaking between you and me
Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.

By Seamus Heaney

WILD about fashion

2011-09-11T17:23:00.015+01:00

Lately I've been mad about anything leopard print; generally subtle hints of it incorporated into an outfit (rather than head-to-toe!).

I thought I'd share a few things from my wardrobe:

1. The Jacket

H&M jacket with leopard print lining

This is fun because the leopard print bit doesn't have to show if you don't want it to (i.e. during the day at work) but you can roll up the sleeves to make it more casual and show a hint of leopard print at the sleeves. I also really like the angular shoulders on this jacket.

2. The Top

Grey spaghetti strap leopard print top from Zara

This is just a basic top that can be worn under a v-neck jumper or cardi, or on its own with jeans. I like this because it's not the obvious beige/ brown leopard print.

3. The Turtleneck

Purple print long sleeve turtle neck (photo taken in Seville, Spain- Jan. 2010)

Another H&M piece: this was a bit bright for me- I don't usually wear such bright prints (you can't really see the colour in this picture, but it's quite purple!). I really love it though- wearing this always puts me in a good mood, and I like that it's unusual. I don't normally wear turtle necks, as I feel a bit suffocated in them (don't ask me why- I just feel restricted in them! Which is a shame, because I love how they look). This isn't very fitted though, so I manage!

4. The Dress

Lipsy dress

I got this dress online from Lipsy. I've photographed the back view of the dress to show the zip detail (the front is plain). I haven't actually worn it yet though! I keep waiting for the right occasion (work is most certainly not it!). It looks good with leggings or tights or skinny jeans, and maybe a black fitted jacket. Hmm..I'm inspired to wear this now- must find an occasion! Again, this is grey/ black, which makes it less in-your-face leopard print.

5. The Accessory

Beaded bangles

I can't remember where these are from- I want to say H&M again, but am not certain. (My office used to be right next to an H&M so it is likely they're from there..). It's good if you want a hint of animal print to spice up a plain outfit.

6. The Scarf

Scarf from Greenwich Market

This item inspired me to blog today! I bought it this afternoon from Greenwich market. I like that it's short enough so I don't have to loop it around or tie it. It just sits perfectly around my neck. I plan to wear it with a plain black or white fitted t-shirt. I like the silky texture. And at £5, I reckon it was a steal!

7. I have blogged about my leopard print ballet pumps before here. They've been sadly thrown out now. They went downhill after my trip to Venice where they got absolutely drenched. I saw a colleague at Harvey Nics with the same pair and I couldn't believe how clean and un-tattered hers were! Oh well, they had a good run (They were from Accessorize by the way).

Faux fur this winter?

Pixie Lott in Top Shop

I remember seeing someone in a leopard print faux fur coat (I think I've seen some at Top Shop) and blood red lipstick last winter and absolutely loving the look. Not sure it's for me though! I prefer the greys personally, with perhaps a blue-grey smoky eye look. The main thing is to have fun with the look- it's not meant to be serious!

My Muse

Me & Leopard (Photo from Fiona's facebook album!)

I just had to include this last photo- I am not condoning ever wearing REAL animal fur of course, but we saw leopards at the Night Safari in Singapore earlier this year. The photo is a bit dark because we weren't allowed to use flash at the animals. Mr. Leopard's coat in the light was so beautiful. (By the way, there's a glass cage separating us).

I feel inspired to experiment with different prints- hope I've inspired you too!

P/S- Yes, I have not blogged in months. I really enjoy it though, so I am hoping to keep this up. I will try not to be such a perfectionist (with structure/ formatting etc.) so that I get more posts out the door!

It's pesky having to act like a grown-up

2011-01-02T19:55:00.002Z

It's the New Year! After weeks of putting off important decision-making, it's time to buckle down and get things off the ground. December was a month filled with Christmas parties, indulging in nice food, presents-shopping, lazing..

And now the peskiness of reality sets in. Mortgages, bills, continuing the career-ladder climb (bah!), managing finances, getting the flat in order..the list goes on..and on... Being a grown-up can be draining.

I honestly don't know how people with kids do it. Just looking after myself is a job and a half.

I don't make New Years resolutions because I don't believe goals and plans should be a once-in-a-year thing. I'm constantly making goals. And lists. I'm a list fanatic; it really works for me, having things written down and ticked off.

The New Year is a good time to start fresh though, and to look forward to better, bigger things. I'm definitely going to try to prioritise the big changes that need to be made and not get bogged down by the small things.

I was in Wimbledon today. While C parked himself at the Alexandra pub to watch Chelsea vs. Aston Villa, I wandered around looking for a black suit jacket for work. You'd think it would be a straight forward purchase, but on Day Eight of the winter sales, it is virtually impossible to find anything in a size 10. Anywhere. The key is to be very, very tiny or very, very large, I reckon, to get anything out of these sales. Either that, or you need to be standing outside the door before the store opens on Day One of the sales. I'm not prepared to be tiny, large, or to stand in the cold for a suit jacket. So after going into EVERY SINGLE possible clothing store at Wimbledon's Centre Court shopping centre, I called it quits, decided to look online later (which I should have done in the first place), and joined C for the last few minutes of the match- which was quite exciting actually. I managed to catch the last two goals in five minutes whilst sipping my Bloody Mary (which was in dire need of more Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce). We then went on a hunt for brandy glasses (C decided we needed them). No luck. Ended up going for Chicken Katsu Curry at Wagamama's. Yum. I'd been craving Waga's for ages.

Though I didn't end up getting anything, it is nice to know that I can guiltlessly shop without constantly weighing up the pros and cons. Being an adult may be pesky, but at least it means that I can shop and eat out as I please!

Yes, I'm a wannabe magazine writer

2010-12-29T15:24:00.004Z

To mix things up a bit, I thought I would blog about a few of my favourite products of 2010. It's fun to pretend I'm a magazine editor (I figured since this is my blog and all, I can pretend to be an expert if I want). By the way, I'm not making any money through the reviews/ advertising. (Just in case you were wondering; I've heard it is all the rage these days).

1. The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter

I am not usually a Body Shop fan (to quote my Aunt: "Why would I pay for things I could grow myself in the garden?"). However, I received this as part of my work "Secret Santa" gift (it was supposed to be a "Gender-Neutral" gift by the way, as everyone just picked gifts from a big bag. I don't know any bloke who would want to smell of cocoa butter, so it's a good thing a female ended up with it!). Anyway, back to my product review (see, this is why I'm just a pretend editor). It is truly the most delicious, buttery, smooth, soft moisturiser I have ever used. My skin gets super dry in the British winter, so I was amazed that after just a few slathers of this, it felt unbelievably soft. It looks like soft butter as well, so it really feels as if you're slathering butter all over yourself. And it smells good enough to eat. In fact, I'm surprised they haven't written "Do Not Consume" on the tub. I've used Palmer's Cocoa Butter previously, but this is MUCH better. I was pleasantly surprised- maybe I should give the Body Shop more of a chance in the future.

2. Clinique Clarifying Lotion

This is a toner that you put on a bit of cotton and swipe all over your face and neck. Takes a bit of extra time after the cleansing, but I've found that when I use it a few days in a row, my skin looks a lot brighter and smoother. Plus it doubles up as an exfoliater. I know it's good for me, but I don't tend to use it every day, as I get lazy. It works though!

3. Aussie Dual Personality Anti-Frizz + Conditioning Milk

I bought this after I chopped all my hair off earlier this year, and my L'Oreal X-Tenso permanently straightened hair was no more (*weep*). When you're used to waking up to permanent dead-straight, frizz-free hair without even needing to brush it, it is a shock to the system to have to actually blow-dry and style every day! I have what I call "flyaway" hair- i.e. not straight, not curly, just a bit wavy and, well, flyaway. This product caught my eye because you can use it on either wet or dry hair, so if I'm heading out after work and my hair is looking a bit frizzy, this provides some sleekness. It smells absolutely divine- like a mixture of sweets and fruits. Also, the price is incredibly wallet-friendly.

4. Amika hair straighteners

I was dead set on getting GHDs after reading reviews/ shopping around. I went on a Saturday afternoon shopping trip with my friend Pey Jean at Westfield and she told me about the Amika straighteners she bought from there the previous year. We went to the shop and I had a play around with them and liked what I saw. I think GHDs probably have a larger marketing/ advertising budget, but these are just as technologically advanced (ceramic etc). I chose the funky leopard print design. I got a good deal too, as when I showed initial reluctance, the salesman gave me a discount, and even threw in a heat protector case. I don't use them every day though, or even every other day. Once a week max. I value healthy hair over straightness, but it's nice to know that if I want it I have the option. You can do curls and flicks with it as well, but longer hair probably works better for those styles.

5. The Manhattan

Right, I know, I'm not being very consistent by throwing in a DRINK, but this is a 2010 discovery of mine and I have to include it! I've been trying to cut down on sugary mixers, but drinking spirits straight is not the easiest. I love this cocktail: It's a combination of Whiskey and Vermouth, shaken with ice and served in a Martini glass. You could add a maraschino cherry and bitters as well, but frankly, just those 2 ingredients suffice!

6. Harrisa

I'm properly venturing into the food/ drink territory now. Harrisa is a North African paste made of lots of different chillies and olive oil. The one I found in Waitrose ("Bart" brand) is yummy: made with Chili, beetroot, Cayenne, Garlic, Lemon, Caraway and Coriander. Not sure if it is authentic Tunisian Harissa paste, but it really jazzes up dishes- great for me as I need spice in my food.

7. Raclette

We had this at my sister's place in Switzerland this year. Raclette is a Swiss dish: you sit around the table and melt the special cheese on the hot plate, grilling other delicious bits and bobs such as pancetta and onions. Then you ooze everything onto the plate, with side dishes of sliced meats and boiled potatoes. It is better than a fondue in my opinion, as rather than drowning everything in a bowl of cheese, you have more of a variety of tastes and textures. I like the social element of it: everyone gathering around and having a go at the grill- almost the Swiss version of the Malaysian "steamboat". The best part is, my sister gave C and I a raclette set for Christmas! It's a mini set for two. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks Sheils!

All this food writing is making me hungry, so I'm ending here. Slightly went off on a tangent towards the end, but I had fun writing- that's the main thing! :-)

I would love to hear what your favourite products/ finds of 2010 were! (I'm starting to sound like Kim Kardashian here. Jesus).

The Invitation

2010-11-01T23:41:00.000Z

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, 'Yes.'

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

- by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

.

Mee Goreng

2010-10-31T22:15:00.004Z

When you have the Monday Blues, nothing hits the spot like Malaysian Mee Goreng. (Or rather, my attempt at authentic Mee Goreng).

Soon after, we were craving chocolate. I like to be virtuous when food shopping and try not to stock unhealthy food at home (i.e. chocolate, ice-cream, crisps). Not always a good plan.

Although we didn't have chocolate, we DID have cocoa powder. And flour. And eggs. Voila:

I had too many tastes along the way though (including the chef's treat of licking the mixing bowl). So by the time the cakes were iced and ready I was feeling a bit "jelak" and didn't feel like having any. (Can't think of the English translation for "jelak").

Cooking is therapeutic. (Almost as therapeutic as Argentinian Malbec).

Talent Hub's 5th Anniversary Party

2010-10-02T08:35:00.000+01:00

My friend Fiona is organising a Halloween Spooktacular Party on the 31st of October in Kuala Lumpur. It marks the 5th anniversary of her dance/ multi-arts centre, Talent Hub. I wish I could be in Malaysia to attend- but those of you lucky enough to be in KL should get your tickets before they run out!! (Read all about last year's party here).

Wicked Witch? Vampire? Zombie? Scary Clown? Bunny Rabbit?
The options are limitless! Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and join us for Talent Hub’s 5th Anniversary Party! Together with Viva Vertical, we’ve got a fantastic line-up of performances by all our students and instructors.
Food, drinks, performances, games, lucky draw prizes, and plenty of dancing…. it’s going to be one SPOOKTACULAR party!
Don’t wait till witch o’clock to buy your tickets! Book them NOW or the boogieman might catch you!
For more information:
Call: +6 (0)16-2858353
Email: ask@talenthub.com.my

Missing in Action

2010-09-12T07:20:00.001+01:00

I've been slightly MIA for a while. August was spent rushing to finish up all my on-going projects at work and planning my month-long South East Asia trip. C and I decided to just go for it- life is short, we work so hard in London and needed time out from the craziness, we're young, no kids, able to just "up and leave" (work permitting). So we decided to do Malaysian East Coast islands (since they're the best ones in Malaysia and we're usually there at Christmas time when it's monsoon and those islands are inaccessible), a few places in Vietnam, and Siem Reap in Cambodia for the temples.

I will blog about it all soon- we had an amazing time, and both of us can't believe we were actually gone for a month! Got back to London last night and it feels SURREAL, like it was all a dream.

I love everything about Asia- the vibe, the warmth of the people, the warm nights, the spicy food, my besties in KL. I'm sure I'll settle back into London life again soon- but right now it seems cold and impersonal. (Yes, I have a major case of the post-holiday blues. Nothing in Asia can do wrong at this point. Not even the mosquitoes that bit me every single evening for a month).

There's so much to keep me busy here though- I start my new job TOMORROW (busy schedule already set for the week). We are looking at moving house (major operation!). London friends to catch up with.

More updates to follow- I've missed blogging!

The Surreal House

2010-07-03T14:10:00.006+01:00

C and I went to The Surreal House Exhibition at the Barbican Art Gallery one evening after work last week. I was keen to go as it had received very good reviews, in particular from Time Out Magazine:

“The Surreal House is an ambitious and rewarding, if necessarily sinister peek into some of the most bizarre dwellings imaginable- its scope grand enough to include art, architecture, film and photography, while its atmosphere close and cloying enough to induce moments of sheer terror and genuine delight.”

"Surrealism" can be defined as as a means of joining dream and fantasy to everyday reality to form "an absolute reality, a surreality" (Encyclopedia Brittanica). It is a 20th-century literary and artistic movement that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious, and is characterised by random images brought together in surprising contrast. Surrealism seeks to break down the boundaries between rationality and irrationality, exploring the energies of dreams and hallucinations.

Here are a few of my favourites from the exhibition:

"The Dream", Salvador Dali c.1937

"Concert for Anarchy" by Rebecca Horn 1990. This was originally in the Tate Modern.

"The Lovers", Rene Magritte 1928

Various installations- if you look closely the boy sitting on the chair has his palms nailed to the desk with 2 pencils. Not a little disturbing.
I think it was called "No Surfing".

I was hoping for more paintings and less installations (some of which I found a little over the top) but it was still well worth the visit.

Malaysia, Truly Asia?

2010-06-05T23:58:00.007+01:00

I came across this picture on the web the other day:

"Malaysian Women" L-R: Iban, Indian, Malay, Chinese, Kadazan

It is a picture originally from the "Malaysia, Truly Asia" campaign, showing the different races of Malaysia.

Anyone notice anything amiss?

This picture is meant to show how multi-cultural Malaysia embraces the different ethnicities and races within the country. It is meant to proclaim to the world that several races can and do live together as one. Tourism Malaysia's campaign declares that Malaysia is "Truly Asia".

I took one look at this picture and was immediately filled with annoyance and anger. If you hadn't already noticed, the lady 2nd from left, clad in traditional Indian Sari, is meant to be- yes- INDIAN.

I come from a Malayalee- Indian background (both sets of grandparents moved to Malaysia from the Southern Indian state of Kerala). I have never, ever seen any pure Indian person look like that.

What I questioned was this: Why would they deliberately choose a light-skinned person with very un-Indian features?

In many Asian countries, beauty is equated with being light or "fair" skin. Whitening creams line the shelves of most beauty counters in Kuala Lumpur. It is not a secret that many of the people there do their best to stay out of the sun to keep themselves as white-skinned as possible.

I grew up surrounded by this mentality- that to be beautiful meant you had to be "fair".

Until I moved to England 10 years ago, I am ashamed to say, I believed it to be true.

The insanity of it all! How could I have signed up to this ignorant belief? Well, it was everywhere. I was brainwashed by adverts on television and magazines (only light-skinned people get chosen, extra points if you are half Caucasian), even relatives who would scold me for spending too much time in the sun. My sister was (is) several shades lighter than me, so people would inevitably (and tactlessly) compare us.

What astounds me is that this mentality doesn't just stay within Asia, but is brought overseas and passed down from generation to generation. I thought I was away from it all in London- where it is the other extreme and people get offended if you say they look pale. (Tanning Salons, Bronzers, Spray-On Tans are everywhere).

Turns out the British-Indians are just as bad. I was at work the other day when one of my colleagues (British-Indian) had just come back from a beach holiday looking gorgeous, healthy, rested, tanned. Another colleague (also British-Indian) said: "Ohmygod!!! You are SO dark- you look like a TAMIL now!". My jaw dropped. There are people of African descent working with us too who were all listening. The tanned one replies "I KNOW. I am SO upset about how dark I am". They then proceeded to talk about looking Tamil for the next few minutes.

So now, there was this north-south divide amongst Indians: Northern Indians are lighter skinned (in general that is) compared to Southern Indians. These girls are all of Northern Indian origin, trying their best not to look as if they are from the south.

So there I was, far, far away from home, faced with the very prejudices I thought I had left behind. I strongly believe that it comes from parents. Unfortunately, racist parents bring up racist children, majority of the time.

Why parents let their children believe that "white equals beauty" is beyond me. Staying out of the sun in Malaysia where it is sunny and 30 degrees all year long is the equivalent of becoming a hermit. Would you rather your children be inactive, obese, video-game addicts just so they can be light skinned? It is mind-boggling.

I spent a wonderful summer in Spain between my 2nd and 3rd year of University. I taught English to Spanish girls at a summer camp and had the most amazing experience of my life: in between classes (which were conducted mostly outdoors) we swam, hiked, and trekked. On my return to Kuala Lumpur for the remainder of the holidays, all that my relatives seemed fixated on was how "dark" I was. Forget the wonderful time I had in Spain, the life-changing experiences, the skills I picked up, the life-long friendships I made. The superficiality of it all really angers me. I remember calling my sister who was in Singapore at the time to vent, and she was equally irritated- and told me to "just ignore them and keep being ACTIVE".

When my boyfriend first visited me in Malaysia, on his flight from Australia he was sitting next to a Malaysian-Chinese lady. They started chatting for ages about lots of different topics. Finally she asked him why he was going to Malaysia. He told her it was to visit his girlfriend. She said "Oh! How lovely- your girlfriend is Malaysian. Is she Chinese?" He replied, "No, she's Indian". Her smile immediately evaporated. She looked horrified, and stopped talking to him after that.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that all Malaysians are racist. Most of my best friends are Chinese. Most of them have had non-Chinese boyfriends in the past.

It's a shame though, that there is a minority who just don't get it. I can't fully blame them: after all, I was brainwashed once too.

Coming back to my original question: Why pick someone so un-Indian for the picture? Because she was considered to be more beautiful. Like I said, mind-boggling.

I have a dozen other stories I could write about. But I think I'll stop here.

What matters is that I can safely say that I am truly happy now. I surround myself with open minded, decent people who like me for who I am and not the colour of my skin. It will be a long, long time before Malaysians change their mindset. The Malaysian media desperately needs a paradigm shift. If it wants to claim that we are "Muhibbah" then it needs to embrace all cultures, all skin colours- and not try to pretend that 10% of the population does not exist.

Because we do exist. We are here. And we have a voice.

Of Dreams and Daffodils

2010-05-08T19:17:00.009+01:00

SPRING is in the air- winter coats have been put away and the days are getting longer. It’s nice to leave work and not be shrouded in darkness! Bright yellow Daffodils are in bloom. It has been a LONG winter. Bring on the sunshine, the Pimms Lemonades, the cute summer dresses, the sunnies and the brown legs! Hah!

Daffodils in Greenwich Park

BLAZE Street Dance

Bex had spare tickets to see Blaze, a street dance performance at the Peacock theatre (the same hall I graduated in, right next to LSE), so C and I went with her and her husband Paul. It was SO much fun and it inspired me to keep going to my Hip Hop dance classes. (Maybe not so much the “popping” and “locking” bits though!).

After the show we went to the Three Tuns, my old University bar. It looked NOTHING like what it used to when I was at Uni- they completely transformed it from a lovely (okay maybe not “LOVELY”- I may be looking back through rose-tinted glasses- it was quite grotty, but had character at least!) English pub to a horrendous communist looking hole!! Honestly, it’s all very well to be modern but this was ridiculous. I remember when the original plans were put forward there was a lot of backlash from students complaining that they were turning their beloved Tuns into a “Poncey Wine Bar”. This was much worse! Still, we had student-price drinks, so no complaints on that side of things!

Cornwall

Taken during a cliff-top walk

C and I decided to holiday in (shock, horror) the UK! We both had annual leave to use up by the end of March so we decided to head South to Cornwall. I found a good deal on holidaycottages.co.uk for a cottage near St Agnes and we hired a car for the week. It was different from all holidays we’ve been on because we had the option of cooking, and we had a car to throw everything in to, and we didn’t need to worry about passports or making sure all our liquids were less than 100ml and in a clear plastic container!!! It was a lovely, restful week of sightseeing, being around friendly Cornish people, quiet meals in the cottage conservatory and fresh sea air! We went to Padstow and ate the BEST FISH AND CHIPS I’VE EVER TASTED at “Stein's Deli” (owned by Rick Stein). We also drove to Land’s End, St Ives, St Austell, The Eden Project, and Perranporth. I wrote a detailed account of each day while we were there in my diary (well, Blackberry), but I’ve decided not to publish it.

Stein's Fish and Chips

Weather-wise, it was still pretty nippy. And a bit rainy. But that was expected. It was Cornwall after all, not Sicily. At one point I had to use C’s bright yellow SOCCEROOS scarf to tie around my entire head to cure my ear chill. (It worked!).

Where Three Dreams Cross

I finally made it to this photography exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. I’d been wanting to go since it opened back in January. The exhibition displayed “150 years of photography” from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Where Three Dreams Cross is an exhibition that sets out to challenge our received notion of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as mediated through the eyes of the west. Here the view is exclusively from within and the show surprises not just in the quirkiness of its vision but in the prevailing sense of quiet attentiveness that characterises many of the photographic approaches.” - Sean O'Hagan The Observer, Sunday 24 January 2010

I’ve chosen a few of my favourites to share:

Nehru giving a botany lesson

Children in paddy fields

What struck me most about the photos was the struggle, and how hard work is ingrained in the people of developing countries. You do whatever you can to make ends meet for your family. There is no minimum wage, no help from the government, no subsidised housing, no whinging. You work hard. After 10 years in the UK, it’s easy to forget that sometimes.

After the exhibition, in keeping with the South Asian themed evening, C and I headed to Needos for some delicious Pakistani food. Their speciality is their grilled meats, in particular their mouth-watering Punjabi lamb chops. It’s yummy, plus the restaurant is BYOB!

Famous Grilled Meats

We are very spoilt in London really- there is so much choice. It is so cosmopolitan and diverse- I really love it here.

A pleasant interruption to my daily commute

2010-03-27T19:48:00.001Z

My commute to work is executed with military precision. I use 3 different modes of transportation and it takes me an hour and ten minutes on a good day. London rush hour is an "eat-or-be-eaten" situation. Elbowing, pushing and swearing are not uncommon (the latter usually aimed at the loudspeakers along the platform which inform that the 16 minute delay was perhaps "due to signal failure in the Gatwick area").

I don't usually stop. For anything. Once the train reaches my destination I jump off and soldier on, having stood stoically in a sardine-esque fashion alongside other commuters in the carriage (getting a seat is a small miracle).

Last week though, as I was brisk-walking from Victoria station to the bus stop where I would catch my 3rd and final mode of transport, I stopped in my tracks. In the middle of the station concourse, stood a traditional Malayalee "Kathakali" dancer. "Kathakali" is a classical Indian dance-drama. I am not an expert, so if you are interested you can read more about it here.

When I visited Kerala in Southern India with my mum and grandmother back in 1997 (my first ever overseas trip- I don't count Singapore as overseas), I saw a performance at the village my grandmother grew up in. It was at an outdoor stage, on a warm humid Indian night, and we all stood round watching. I remember being quite mesmerised.

The purpose of the dancer in the middle of Victoria station that morning was a "Visit Kerala" tourism drive. There were girls speaking to people about Kerala, dressed in a traditional Malayalee 2-piece sari: off-white in colour with a gold border. I love its simplicity. It was what my mother wore on her wedding day.

And so, in the midst of the chaos that is my daily London commute, I found a piece of my past. That one image brought memories flooding back; my two worlds coming together. I smiled and continued the journey to my Corporate World, glad that I had taken a moment to stop and remember.

Old Is Gold

2010-03-06T01:03:00.036Z

I love it when you catch up with a friend after years of not seeing each other- and it doesn’t feel as if anything’s changed. I met Jia Wen back in summer 2001 just before I started Uni. We both attended the same French course at Alliance Francaise in KL. The long summer hols. meant that we hung out a lot- we took tennis lessons, volunteered together at Amnesty International Malaysia (sounds a lot more noble than it really was- we did a lot of envelope-stuffing!), and went on a backpacker- style holiday to a GORGEOUS unspoiled island off the East Coast of Malaysia, near Tioman (I can’t remember what it was called now!!). I remember it had beautiful white sand beaches, lovely sea and hardly anyone on the island (apart from some German tourists- but German tourists are everywhere).

I lost touch with her for a while, but last year she texted me to say she had started working near London Bridge. We caught up over wine and food and wondered why we hadn’t met up more over the years! I found out that she had gone through the same grief as me the year before: her dad had passed away from terminal cancer too, a year and a half before my dad. It’s strange how our lives are so similar.

The other night we caught up again over some Malaysian food. We really stuffed ourselves to the point where we were struggling to finish our bottle of wine! (And that’s saying something!).

Jia

Jia’s Wat Tan Hor. Yummy.

Back at home: The reason I’m so pale is because I have not seen the sun in 6 months. That’s right. 6 whole months.

***

Tim and Alex invited us over for a catch up and dinner. Tim made delicious Paella. Their house is amazing! They have a cinema in the basement! And it’s in Zone 1! I got quite attached to their pug, Jack.

Me and Jack.

***

Valentine’s Day was quiet but nice. The steaks turned out succulent (if I do say so myself!); made with black peppercorn sauce (below).

I made a Prawn Cocktail starter- old is gold!

This dish brings back memories- I remember having Prawn Cocktail as a child, at The Eagle’s Nest at Subang Golf Club with my dad, mum and sisters. It was always such a treat then for my sisters and I to have “WESTERN” food!

These days, I cook and eat EASTERN food mostly: I made this the other day from Betty Yew’s cookbook: Fried Garlic Pork (but changed it slightly to include aubergine and beans).

It was difficult to take this photo because C wouldn't pause from eating long enough for the shot!

***

I bought this Buddha wall hanging for the bedroom. Anyone who visited our flat would think C and I were staunch Buddhists or something! We have 3 Buddhas now. They make me feel very serene and ZEN.

Serenity in a painting

***

I met up with some friends for Sunday Dim Sum in China town- we got caught in the Chinese New Year Lion Dance. The Lion was “blessing” all the restaurants on Gerrard Street (the main pedestrianised street in China Town), and JUST as we were leaving Golden Dragon it decided to dance outside our door! We couldn’t get out- and the crowds were manic. When we finally got out, it took us AGES to get through the crowds, and at one point I really thought I was going to be crushed. Since I winded up being so close to the Lion, I took some photos. Pey Jean was amused that the majority of the boys steering the Lion were British- we’re so used to only Chinese boys doing it at home!

The Culprit

The Dim Sum was good - although I think I’ll be avoiding China Town for the whole of Chinese New Year season next year!!

Winter Update

2010-02-13T17:20:00.009Z

It’s been very cold and wintry lately- it really feels like an exceptionally looong winter this year. I think it’s because we had an unusually cold December- snow, ice, sleet. February is usually when the worst of the weather happens, but this year it started 2 months earlier and hasn't stopped! I checked the forecast for my birthday on the 23rd: Zero degrees and sleet showers. Yipee.

I’ve been wearing my new leather boots (left) a lot- they keep me SO warm! I can’t believe I never bought proper warm knee high boots before, and I’ve been living in the UK for more than 10 years now! (Actually, I do know- it’s because they cost a fortune!). The tassle bit is a little eccentric, but I'll keep them for now, and maybe snip them off next winter! They swing vigorously from side to side when I walk. I quite like them though! And besides, in London no one bats an eyelid at anything.

Winter this year seems unnaturally long because I usually go home to sunny weather for some of the season. I need to GO HOME for a bit! I miss my mum, my friends, the food. Granted, when it comes to food London is a fabulous place for finding authentic South East Asian food, but it’s just not the same as sitting outdoors at a “Kopi Tiam” on a warm night eating piping hot Ikan Bakar and drinking cold beer. It’s not the same as driving 10 minutes up the road to meet up with friends I've known since I was 12 years old. I find it's always less of a hassle to meet up with people in KL for some reason, compared to in London. I think the weather and the convenience of cars makes it easier.

We got a bit of a break from the cold in Spain though- it was about 14 degrees in the south of Spain. The locals appeared to think it was freezing (I don’t think they are used to the cold in the South of Spain!)- they were fully dressed in fur-lined boots, hats, scarves, gloves etc. I didn’t even take my winter coat- my spring Mac sufficed! It’s all relative I suppose. My sister told me that she's freezing in Zurich. I checked Zurich on BBC.com weather the other day and was shocked- she's had a week of -5 degrees (max) and snow. Yikes. At least it’s above Zero here most days. She’d probably find London tropical!

I’m planning on treating myself to a pre- birthday massage next week. The last time I went to one was 2 years ago (!) in Malaysia. I took my mum and C’s mum to Khareyana in Petaling Jaya using Fiona’s recommendation. It was BLISSFUL! (A bit pricey for Malaysia, but worth every ringgit I thought!). Three hours of absolute bliss- body scrub, massage, sauna, bubble bath..sigh! The massage at my gym will not live up to it, but it will have to do for now!

Injury

My nose is starting to look vaguely normal now (I injured my nose just before Christmas). After work one evening, I was on my way to meet C and his parents, and it was sleeting and snowing. I had no umbrella and was running into a shop to ask where Swarovski (our meeting point) was...not realising there was a (VERY CLEAN) glass door in the way and BANGED my face onto the door really really hard. I saw stars and my nose was killing me. I went in anyway, asked for directions and went out again. By then my eyes were tearing from the impact, and I saw my lipstick mark on the glass door. Something wet was dripping from my nose, and I saw I was bleeding from the nose. I felt really, really sick and thought I was going to throw up. I rang C and told him to find me on William Street, and he ran over from Swarovski. (By then I was wandering the street wiping blood with a throbbing nose). A kind man in a clothes shop was standing at the doorway and saw me, and he immediately told me to go into his shop, sat me down, and gave me tissues which one by one were getting soaked with blood. C found me and I thanked the man, who asked if I wanted water and gave me hot wipes to clean the blood- I was so grateful. Anyway, I then walked out with C onto the street and after 2 steps felt like throwing up and passing out. He quickly took me to a cafe and sat me down, then went to get his parents who were nearby. By then I had started sweating even though it was freezing- I took off my coat, cardigan, gloves, hat but was still dripping with sweat! I asked the waitress for ice, and she gave me a bag of ice which helped numb the pain a bit. C came back with his parents who said I probably had a mild concussion from the impact. The bleeding finally stopped and I began to feel better after a while. We sat for an hour, and then I felt okay and we went to dinner, even though they said if I felt bad we would go straight home.

The next morning, my nose was sore and I couldn't wiggle it or do anything to it, and it was swollen slightly. I decided I should see a doctor, as it felt quite tender and soft at the bone.

So I went to A&E at Mayday Hospital that morning by bus. The weather was so icy and horrible and I waited and waited for 2 hours before I was called (you've got to love the NHS). It reminded me of the University Hospital waits with my dad in KL. The doctor told me that I probably broke or fractured my nose, but guess what? They don't do X-rays for broken noses in this country because it wouldn't make a difference to the treatment!!! So she told me they would need to wait for the swelling to go down before doing anything, as if they were to manipulate the bone back now it will go back to it's wrong place, so they had to wait till it was "sticky" and healing first. She said to come back in a week, where they would see if my nose looked "off", and then if it did, they would give me anaesthetic and manipulate the bone back (i.e. not operate or cut my nose open, just move it). She (the Doctor with the perfect, small, straight European nose) informed me that a broken nose is the least worrying broken bone, except for cosmetic reasons. (I responded, "yes, as it's ON MY FACE!").

I went back to a different doctor the following week (at least he didn't look like he'd just graduated the previous summer- no offence to my newly-qualified doctor friends, but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from!!). Luckily he said no bone manipulation was needed and the bump will go down in a few months. I personally don't think my nose looks the same, but everyone else says it does. It was horrendous enough to start with, I didn't think it could possibly get any worse- and it did! Maybe it's a lesson to not be so vain about my nose and to be grateful for what I have. Whatever.

Events

Last weekend was Dianne’s housewarming in East London- it was so much fun, we ate and drank loads, and laughed a lot! Min’s honey-soy chicken was a hit- his secret ingredient is brown sugar in the marinade. Delish!

Dianne with feast

L-R: Dianne, Adrienne, Me

We had a girly meal for Dianne’s birthday the other day. She’s just moved on her own to London from Cheltenham, so we met up after work and went for a lovely meal at Jamie’s (Jamie Oliver’s new Italian restaurant) in Canary Wharf. The food was absolutely delicious- I’m definitely going back! Only catch is they don’t take reservations so apparently there’s usually a massive queue. We were lucky though, and didn’t have to wait too long for a table. I had the prawn linguine and a warm salad. Dessert was tiramisu. Delicious- the dishes looked exactly like the pictures in his recipe books, and the prices were reasonable. Almost beats Ikan Bakar! I have to take C there soon.

Gondolas

C and I went to Venice for a long weekend towards the end of last year to celebrate our 6 year anniversary (I know- I can’t believe it’s been 6 years- time FLIES). It was really pretty- though the weather was not the best. We spent a lot of the time joined at the hip underneath our 1 umbrella. It is an amazing city though- and it was lovely to spend a long weekend away together.

It's Valentines' Day tomorrow. I'm not a pink-roses-and-heart-shaped-chocolates kind of girl, but it's nice to do something out of the ordinary. C and I are cooking a special steak dinner together and will maybe crack open some bubbly.

It's Chinese New Year tomorrow too. I had a long chat with my mum this morning, and she mentioned that the Feng Shui expert in Malaysia has informed the country (via the national newspaper) that the year of the Tiger will bring good fortune, and the world economy will recover! Hurray, great news! *grin* Optimistic media is always a refreshing change, whatever the source.

Gong Hey Fatt Choy everyone!

Family Ties

2010-02-06T11:15:00.005Z

I love being with family. Growing up in Malaysia, I was very close to my extended family. There were no formalities such as ringing in advance of visits- we would just turn up at each others’ homes and laugh, eat and spend time together. My sisters and I were close to my cousins, 2 in particular, and it felt as though we had an extra brother and sister. We did everything together- holidays at the countryside at our aunt’s, cinema trips (“Beetlejuice” stands out in my memory!), and countless hopscotch sessions and dance practices. We loved putting on performances, which usually involved pop songs and modern dance routines (and HOURS of practice!). My dad loved throwing parties, so my house was often the venue for Deepavali and New Year’s Eve parties. We had a lot of space in my house, and my parents’ generosity meant there was always heaps of food and drink for everyone. I took those times for granted as a child, assuming that was how most people lived!

Fast forward 20 years, and I find myself living in a city with zero family around me. Don’t get me wrong, I love London and my life here, but I do sometimes miss the togetherness and family spirit. I miss the dynamics between the different generations under one roof. Everyone’s getting older now, and people have drifted apart, but that’s life I suppose. You grow out of things.

Towards the end of last year I flew to Scotland to spend the weekend with my sister and niece. As ever, the 2 days went by far too quickly, but it was lovely to spend quality time together. Nikhita (my niece) is gorgeous- she’s so smiley and friendly and says “HI!” to everyone! The last time I saw her she had just started crawling, but this time she was walking (actually, SPRINTING) everywhere!

Nikhita

At "Jungle In The City"

My sister cooked delicious spicy Asian food including Tom Yam soup! We went to Mother India for lunch as well (I insist on going there every time I visit her- they do brilliant tapas- style Indian food using fresh, good-quality ingredients).

Tom Yam Soup a la Seets

Mother India Cafe

I can't wait to see them again in a few weeks!

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

2010-01-27T21:17:00.005Z

We went to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the NovelloTheatre in the West End last week. It had very good reviews so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. I metC after work and we went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Covent Garden for a quick bite to eat before heading to the Box Office tocollect our tickets. I had bought the tickets on Lastminute.com and they were 2^ndprice seats, promising to be either Stalls or Dress Circle. When we collected thetickets however we found that we were given Grand Circle seats! I was not happyand complained but they told us that what we got were 2^nd priceseats. I have made a complaint to lastminute.com, so we’ll see whattranspires. I think it is false advertising and they should have said that thetickets could change depending on demand, in which case I would have boughtthem from a different website to be certain of exactly which seats I was buying.

The play itself was good. It was written by Tennessee Williamsin 1958. This adaptation is centred around a wealthy African-American family in Mississippi. (In reality there would not have been such a wealthy Black family in the '50s, so they set it in the '80s instead to make the all-Black cast plausible).

Big Daddyhas just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and is the last to find out,while the rest of the family try to deal with the news and get as much of his estateas possible. All of them live in fear of being left out of the will, feelinglike cats on a hot tin roof.

The overall theme was “mendacity”, or deception.Other issues covered were alcoholism & homosexuality. Big Mama was playedby Phylicia Rashād, who acted as the mum in The Cosby Show(Claire Huxtable) many years ago. She’s a lot older now!

The deep southern accent took some getting used to, andthere was a lot of domestic banter but overall I thought the actors didtremendously well.

Foodie Fun

2010-01-16T18:00:00.035Z

WineMasterclass at Harvey Nichols

"Wine makes a symphony of agood meal."

(Fernande Garvin, The Art of French Cooking)

C and I went to a Wine Masterclass/dinner at the 5^th floor restaurant at Harvey Nichols. I wasn’t feelingvery well (flu-ish) the night before, but forced myself to go in to work andheaded to the Store after. My colleague was also going, so we decided to have apre-wine tasting drink at the Champagne Bar before the event while we waitedfor our partners to arrive. (A bad idea in hindsight!)

The title of the class was“Christmas Drinking”. The sommelier was French, and had a VERY thick accent. Ittook a lot of concentration to follow him, especially after a few tastes! Wetasted different wines with our starter, more with the main, and even more withdessert. They gave us large servings of wine as well, so I ended up passingthem on to C by the end of the evening. Paracetamol and alcohol do not mix well!

Sasha & I

Kane enjoying the tastes

I thought the format would betasting & learning then a sit down meal, but it was a joint affair, withthe sommelier sitting with us throughout the meal. It made it really relaxed,and as C was sitting next to him, we got a lot of information about wine! I.e.,the importance of letting wine breathe first, which supermarkets to avoid whenbuying wine: he recommended Sainsbury’s “Taste the Difference” range andWaitrose wines in general. He said not to bother with Tesco! (A bit harsh Ithought!). Also, that Chabli and Chardonnay are from the same grape. I likeChabli and am not so fond of Chardonnay, so it was interesting to learn thedifference was in the making of the wine and not in the grape. The other thingI learnt was how wine changes depending on what you eat. For instance, it may not initially suit your taste, but once it’s teamed with a certain meat, it cancompletely change its flavour.

C with Sommelier in background

The whole time I was there I waswishing I could have taken my dad to it. Now that I can afford these littleluxuries it really hurts that I can’t treat him to things. C’est la vie.

The next day my flu became muchworse (surprise, surprise). I survived work with paracetamol and tonnes ofwater. No regrets though! Work hard, play hard.

TasteChristmas Event

“Laughteris brightest where food is best”

(Irish Proverb)

Pey Jean had free corporate ticketsto the Taste Christmas event at the Excel Centre in East London. It’s a foodie eventfull of different stalls: cheese, wine, pasta, Asian food, teas, coffees, beer,jams etc! We had lots of free tastes and redeemed our fake money (which webought in advance) for yummy food: a beeline was made for the Malaysian stalls naturally. We also purchased cheese (mature Englishcheddar) and some honey-flavoured mustard.

Pey Jean bought a very coolcoffee machine after our coffee tasting. It makes really good Macchiatos (I’vehad the pleasure of having one at her house post-event!).

Coffee tasting

Me with my Macchiato

We saw some celebrity chefs docooking demonstrations. I watch a lot of Good Food TV, so I was excited to seeAnthony Worrall Thompson and Jun Tanaka cook live.

Jun Tanaka in action

I hunted him down for a photo. Thanks Pey Jean for cropping it so well!

We ended the day withmore food (!) at Wahaca, a Mexican restaurant in Canary Wharf. Overall a fulfilling day indeed!

O Christmas Tree

2009-12-20T12:01:00.006Z

The Christmas tree finally went up 2 weeks ago. We were meant to put it up on the 1st of December but when I plugged in the lights to see if any bulbs needed replacing I heard a loud “PAARP” sound and the lights stopped working. We initially thought the fuse needed changing so we bought a new one, but it still didn’t work. Finally, C went to Allders and bought new lights. Our tree is white, so it’s harder to find tree lights, as the cable needs to be white, not green!

We decided to be more discerning this year when it came to decorations. The theme is Blue and Gold, so we left out the silver decorations we already had and got some extra blue ones. I’ve decided my presents are going to be wrapped simply with brown wrapper and gold ribbons decorated with bunches of cinnamon sticks (I know, that doesn’t quite go with the theme but I want to use cinnamon!).

Last week I decided to get more decorations for the house. One tree in the corner of my South East Asian themed flat didn't look Christmassy enough! There are too many Buddhas and Oriental Fans about! So I decided to get this:

Buddha amongst foliage

All I need to do now is collect the turkey, ham and trimmings from Marks & Spencer! (And then cook it).

I always look forward to mulled wine at this time of the year (red wine warmed with cinnamon, cloves, lemon, sugar and sometimes rum and/ or tea). It's something I can never drink at home in Malaysia because I find it far too HOT to drink even normal red wine let alone a steaming mug of mulled wine. It's lovely here in the winter though- warming and delicious, plus the smell wafts through the house leaving everything smelling Christmassy.

Cheers!

10 Things I’ve Learnt in 2009

2009-12-06T18:16:00.011Z

1. Don’t wait till it’s too late spend time with the people you love. Circumstances change. They won’t be there forever.

2. When times are tough you truly know who the people who really care are. When my dad was ill, my family needed as much support from relatives and friends as possible. Sometimes, surprisingly, the ones you expect to come through for you don’t, and the ones you don’t expect are there for you 24-7. I am so grateful for the family and friends who kept close when we needed them most.

3. Say NO more!

4. Listening to your body helps: It tells you when you need to drink more water/ eat more fruit/ do more exercise/ get more sleep!

5. It is so important to take time out to really think about what you want out of life. We spend so much time working that we fail to take a step back from the madness to really consider what would truly make us happy.

6. Life is FAR too short to be spending 2 and a half hours of your day on public transport. Furthermore, contrary to the majority of Londoners’ belief, it is NOT NORMAL to be spending 2 and a half hours of your day on public transport!

7. It's good to treat yourself now and again- whether with a soul-soothing massage, a bright red winter coat or a nice French meal. What’s the point of working so hard if you don’t reap the rewards?

8. Intelligence alone will not get you far in life. You also need the 2 C’s: Confidence and Charisma.

9. No matter how hectic life gets, take the time to keep up your friendships. They are far more important than e.g.; doing that DIY project/ spending an extra hour at work.

10. Picking up the phone is much more personal than an e-mail or a text message!

It's been quite a year- a very sad and difficult one for my family. Life goes on, and all we can do is to keep going and keep living the best life possible. That's what my dad would have wanted.

Here's hoping the New Year is filled with laughter, good times with loved ones, and success.

Happy Christmas every one.

Morrissey at Alexandra Palace

2009-11-28T18:05:00.002Z

Morrissey

I was introduced to Morrissey by C. My first reaction was "Why is he so miserable?". His songs are definitely not upbeat by any stretch of the imagination, particularly when he was with the Smiths. If you are already slightly depressed, his albums could tip you over the edge.

Fast forward 6 years later, officially a Morrissey fan, I waited excitedly to see him live. It was a week day, and Alexandra Palace is FAR from home (North London, i.e. the other side of town for us), so it was going to be a long night (and potentially a long hungover day at work the next day!).

The crowd was really mixed- young and old, grungy and posh, he attracted a range of people.

Morrissey is quite the showman: flamboyant and theatrical when he perfoms. The crowd was hanging on to his every word, particularly when he sang his more popular songs, including my favourite "Irish Blood, English Heart". I texted my sister to ask her if she wanted me to ring her when he sang "Sheila Take a Bow" (my sister's name). She replied saying "Nah!". I realised it was quite late in Switzerland by then, as they're one hour ahead of London. And my sister sleeps quite early, having a toddler to look after. Oops. Sorry, Sheils! He didn't sing it in the end though.

Morrissey's support band, Dolls and The Kicks, came on first. I usually don't pay much attention to support bands, and prefer to hit the bar while waiting for the main act to come on, but they were really quite good! After the concert they were hanging out outside having a few drinks. C decided I should get a photo with them since I liked their music! I said no, it really wasn't necessary, and besides, they were busy drinking vodka and having a laugh. C then proceeded to nudge me in their direction, with me saying "noooooo!!!!!". Of course, they saw the commotion, and one of the band members said "She wants a photo guys! Come this way, come on!". Arrgh. (They were really nice though!).

This was the rather blurry, dark photo. Taken from my Blackberry:

Me with Dolls and The Kicks

Here's Morrissey on the night we saw him, singing "First of The Gang To Die" (found on You Tube):

I love England!

Hot Pink

2009-11-19T14:47:00.005Z

I've wanted a BRIGHT PINK watch that POPS for the longest time. After some hunting, I finally found this Timex.

What I love about it is that it's young and it's loud. In a corporate environment you do sometimes need something fun and unusual to spice things up a bit!

I was keen on the Toywatch "Neon Plasteramic" collection too, but I thought it was a bit too pricey for what it was. I'd spend that much on a dressy gold watch maybe, but not something plastic looking and hot pink!

Have a look at some of the other colours the Timex comes in.

Retro Fun!

Belle Epoque

2009-11-10T21:08:00.010Z

Harvey Nichols has recently refurbished their 5th floor bar in Knightsbridge. The bar has been decorated using the Belle Epoque champagne bottle (below) for inspiration. My workmates and I decided to go there last week to have a look. I thought it was really good- a place you would go to if you wanted somewhere fancy, and maybe a quiet chat with someone over a well-made cocktail or a glass of bubbly.

Belle Epoque champagne, by Perrier-Jouet

We started with some champagne, then tried out some of their cocktails. I had the Very Berry Smash- a fruity cocktail made with Chivas (of course). It was yummy- though I couldn't really taste the Chivas. No doubt it is more pricey than most places, but I would pay a bit more for the atmosphere and knowing the drinks are guaranteed to be good. If there's one thing I hate it's being served a cocktail that's weak, watery, and tastes nothing like it's supposed to!

The interior. Flowers on the ceiling and mirrors resemble the design on the champagne bottle

Halloween

2009-11-07T10:02:00.007Z

Omar (and flatmates) threw a super cool Halloween party at their flat in Maida Vale. I LOVE costume parties, so was all gung-ho when I heard about it. It started off as a "Wear anything beginning with the letter D" party. A few weeks later, they broadened it (after complaints from invitees) to "F" and "S" as well. (The letters are the hosts' surnames by the way- it wasn't randomly selected from a hat).

The Hosts (+2) From L-R: Dominatrix, Devil, Disco (Omar), Donatello, Snoop Dog

People REALLY went all out! I was going to go as a Disco Diva but when Mr C was hunting for his Devil's costume in our (dark and messy) loft, he found my Police Woman costume from 3 years ago! I found a badge within the bag that said "Deputy Sheriff" so I decided to go with that instead.

Mr C and Robin (our friend from Oz who was staying with us) were at a pub in Clapham watching the footy from noon, so I chilled at home, and then met them later. Meta joined us too for a bit, then she and Robin went to another Halloween party, while Mr C and I headed to Omar's.

More pictures from the night:

Deputy Sheriff and Devil

Me with Sian as "Disco"

Mr C liked Sian's wig

Jim & Adam as "Sweeney Todd" and "Disco"

The bloke on the right really freaked me out. I voted for him as Best Dressed!

Omar & Co. always throw a good party! Thanks for a fun night!

Tim's Surprise 30th @ Busaba

2009-11-02T21:30:00.003Z

Tim celebrated his big 3-0 at Busaba Eathai. Busaba is a Thai restaurant- we went to the Tottenham Court Road branch. "Eathai" (a fusion of the words "Eat" and "Thai") replaces the term "restaurant" to create a no-fuss feel.

Alex (Tim's wife) organised a banquet meal in a special room for us- so we had loads of starters and mains to share. I love surprises! Tim didn't have a clue, especially as it was a Wednesday evening, so it was brilliant!

My Writer Friend

2009-11-01T18:39:00.015Z

Sui-Jim Ho, a friend I went to LSE with, (and who was my husband in a University play we acted together in back in 2003), is a lawyer in London who writes fiction in his "spare" time.

He has recently written a story in Body 2 Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology.

I've been told that the book has been on top of a Malaysian bestsellers list for six weeks running and is still number one (the first edition sold out in less than a month). A Canadian reviewer has said that his story in particular "fires on all cylinders".

Have a look at a recent review in TIME magazine by John Krich ("Body 2 Body will leave readers feeling that the quest for identity is what unites and bedevils all Malaysians, straight or gay").

The book is available for purchase on amazon. He doesn't get paid for any of it by the way- so this is really to support the arts!

I'm always in awe of friends who manage to hold down demanding jobs (Jim is a Corporate Lawyer by day) and still make time for creativity. He has also written in another book: Urban Odysseys: KL Stories. This one is published by MPH, and I am told is less raunchy!

Chilled out Friday night

2009-10-31T14:43:00.002Z

I've decided to blog little and often rather than to publish one massive blog every month or so. I think it's easier and more fun, as I can be more spontaneous with the content!

Ishtar Restaurant

Mr C wanted me to try out a restaurant he once went to for a work dinner. It's a Turkish restaurant, called Ishtar near Baker Street. Adrienne and Chris joined us after work on Friday- it was nice to catch up after months! The last time we saw them was in Wales for Annuja and Tony's wedding back in August. It can be hard to keep in touch in London sometimes- everyone's so busy with work/ holidays abroad etc etc!

The food was really yummy- we shared a mix meze platter between us, which was a selection of starters. I had the "Kuzu Sis" main- delicious pieces of marinated lamb served with rice and vegetables. Mr C had the Mixed Grill- lots of different meats. I will definitely be going back there- it was good to be in a restaurant that wasn't packed either- it was relaxed and quiet and the staff were not rushed off their feet.

Kuzu Sis

A nice end to a busy week- good food, good wine, and good company!

Happy Halloween everyone!

A Touch of Radiance

2009-10-28T23:13:00.006Z

I finally decided to join the bandwagon and give YSL Touche Eclat ("Radiant Touch") highlighter/ concealer pen a try. I have had hereditary dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember. I usually use MAC Select Cover Up which works really well. It's a compact tube and I can carry it around in my handbag easily. However, I thought it was time to try something new, and as this was a cult product millions swear by, I thought I would see what all the fuss was about.

I went to a YSL counter last week and said to the person working there that I was interested in the Touche Eclat. She turned out to be the pushiest sales person I had ever met! She hurried me onto a chair, whipped out the Touche Eclat sample, and another white tube, and started applying this cream (from the white tube), saying "this is to drain the toxins". She kept looking over her shoulder throughout this time to make sure she wasn't losing any more potential customers. I felt soooo important. Anyway, after the weird cream from the white tube was applied (and toxins "drained") she then pulled out the Touche Eclat and expertly began dabbing it under my left eye and around my mouth. She showed me a mirror to see the difference between my left (YSL) eye, and my right (non-YSL) eye. I thought my MAC concealer (that I was already wearing on my right eye) looked just as good- but when I looked closer I saw that the Touch Eclat eye looked more natural, like I wasn't wearing any makeup. It also had a highlighting effect.

Sold. However, she then said "You HAVE to use the cream first, as it will fade the dark circles".

"How much is it?" I asked.

"Thirty-four pounds. And the Touche Eclat is £23".

Ouch.

I deliberated.

"It's cheap", she insisted.

Cheap? £57 for 2 minuscule tubes of product I probably would only bother using once a month?

I finally relented.

So I buy the 2 products, and head back to the office (I was on my lunch break).

I went back to my desk and thought I'd quickly Google the product to look for reviews. I then noticed the white tube thing was actually an anti-wrinkle cream. As in, it didn't prevent wrinkles from forming, but reduced the appearance of existing wrinkles by "filling" them. There was nothing on the YSL website, or any of the reviews that said ANYTHING about draining toxins or fading dark circles. It was purely advertised as a cream to fill in crow's feet and lines around the mouth.

I (thankfully) have no crows feet or lines around the mouth.

Hmph. I was officially conned.

I then spoke to two of my colleagues who had also bought Touche Eclat from the same counter. They informed me that the same pushy lady had tried to get them to buy the wrinkle cream too, but they declined. They were sympathetic. "She's incredibly persuasive".

Grrrr.

After work that day, I returned to the YSL counter- it was a different lady there this time. Miss Pushy had gone home.

"I'd like to return this please", I said loudly. I expected to be lectured on how important it was to drain toxins before applying the Touche Eclat. Instead, I got nothing.

"Sure! Let me see your receipt".

She didn't even try to dissuade me from returning it!

Why didn't I just get her the first time? I'm told the MAC lady is worse. Great.

Sun, Sea & Ouzo

2009-10-24T09:07:00.062+01:00

My boyfriend (who will from now on be referred to as Mr. C) and I went on a week-long holiday in the Greek island of Santorini this summer. We usually try to do a summer break in Europe every year. Since both of us are from the other side of the world (Malaysia/ Australia) we tend to suffer a lot of long haul flights and jet lag, so a short flight for sun, culture and good food is always a welcome change!

One of our first trips together was to Zakynthos, a different Greek island, 4 years ago, just before I started my graduate training programme at KPMG. I look at the Zakynthos photos and think “little did you know what was in store for you upon your return!!”

Returning to

Greece

was a bit like a sign of new beginnings, as again, I started my new job just after Santorini. We chose the island because it is absolutely beautiful, known for its white cliff-top houses overlooking sparkling blue waters. I also wanted a chilled-out holiday, without too much frantic sight-seeing alongside millions of tourists. We went on a long weekend to Amsterdam earlier this year, and I have never seen such long queues to get into museums in my entire life. The queues were trailing down the street, round the corner for miles and miles!

This time, I wanted to relax, swim as much as possible, and get as much sun as possible before autumn in London set in. It was such a beautiful place. I love Greek food, and the people are really welcoming and friendly. It was the perfect balance of relaxation and activity- we went on walks, a boat ride to the volcanoes and neighbouring islands, and did a day trip to the main town, Fira, and another town famous for its sunsets, Oia. Santorini is a group of islands: Thira, Thirasia ("Little Thira"), and Aspronisi. We stayed in the resort of Kamari on the island of Thira.

Here are some of the highlights:

Greek food

Food glorious food! I love, LOVE Greek food. Here I'm having fresh prawns cooked in a tomato based sauce, and Mr C is having the lamb souvlaki- deliciously cooked tender pieces of meat served with flat bread and salad. The restaurant was called Alexanders, recommended by Mr C's colleague who stayed in Kamari a few months before. We went back at the end of the trip as we were so impressed. The owner kept giving us free shots of Ouzo and various other liqueurs. That was a definite change from London where bar tenders measure everything with such precision in measuring cups so that they don't give you a drop more than you paid for!

One of our lunches by the sea. Fresh Greek Salad, Tzatziki (a combination of Greek yoghurt, shredded cucumber, crushed garlic and lemon), and giant glasses of Mythos Beer to compensate for the healthy food.

My Sea bass lunch in Fira. It was so fresh that it didn't need much more than a squeeze of lemon and a bit of salt and pepper. Fresh seafood. Bliss.

Boat trip to the Volcano, Hot Springs and Thirasia ("Little Thira")

Mr C on our boat, with the volcano (Nea Kameni) in the background.The island group of Santorini (Thira, Thirasia and Aspronisi) is what is left over from the last major volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Nea Kameni is an active volcano; its last eruption was in 1950. Some of the rocks were smoking when we were up there!

After the trek up the volcano, we "cooled" off in these hot sulphuric springs, which was at the foot of the volcano. We were told it was good for our skin, a bit like a natural mud mask. I had tremendous fun covering myself in brown clay, and painting war stripes on my face! The other tourists didn't seem to take as much interest in the clay for some strange reason!

Houses in Thirasia. We stopped by the island as part of the Volcano trip. It was far less touristy than Thira, so we got a feel for how the locals lived.

Thirasia

Oia

Greek Orthodox Church in Oia

This is a picture of the famous sunset in Oia (pronounced Ee-ya). It was pretty, and I'm glad we braved the many tourists and enjoyed the view. I do think, though, that sunsets in London can be quite good too, believe it or not!

Me in Oia- the town is up on the cliffs, overlooking the sea. The buildings are mostly white with blue accents. It all looked so crisp and fresh.

Ancient Thira

Mr C and I decided to walk over the mountains to a beach on the other side, Perissa. On the way we stopped by Ancient Thira. We saw ancient ruins going back to 1,600BC. It was a hot day, so it was nice to get to Perissa 2 hours later and cool off in the calm blue waters.

Returning to Kamari (black sand) beach after a day on the beach in Perissa was a nerve-wracking experience! We didn't want to trek all the way back over the mountain, so we took the Water Taxi (ie, a speed boat) round the cliffs. By then it was windy and the water was incredibly choppy. The boat was packed with people, mostly German tourists. Our tiny boat was rocking crazily left and right, close to the cliffs in the choppy waves, and water was flooding in and drenching us (luckily I was in a bikini and sarong, so it didn't matter too much!). I honestly don't know how our tiny boat didn't capsize in the huge waves! Thankfully we got back to shore in one piece (I was the 2nd one off the boat after Mr C)! The Germans made it better though, as they were a group of young people who kept making jokes and laughing every time they got wet.

Summit Fever

Mr C has summit fever. Wherever we go, he HAS to reach the highest peak! I didn't go with him on this particular climb. He got a Swiss couple to take the photo of him on this flimsy-looking chair. I was relaxing at the hotel pool -reading and swimming- during this time!!

Summit fever again. The highest peak at Ancient Thira!

Overall it was a wonderful break. I was so sad to leave! Can't wait to start planning the next holiday! Cheerio for now!

London Life

2009-10-07T22:27:00.017+01:00

This blogging business is harder than I thought. When I started this I imagined it would be something I'd do regularly and eagerly. I have since realised that it requires a lot of discipline to be a consistent blogger! I started my new job the morning after coming back from Greece. It was such a shock to the system after a month of not using my brain. I was EXHAUSTED after the first few days, not least because I practically had back-to-back meetings all day for the first week. I need sleep. I have to say though, I am enjoying it all- not having to juggle work and study, and knowing that I can finally focus completely on the work aspect of things, and not be constantly plagued by studying and exams.

Joe Allen's with the O'Sullivans

My family have known the O'Sullivan family for quite a few years now. We got to know them through my sister, who went to University in Manchester with their son. They visited us in KL many moons ago, and I've been close to them throughout my time in the UK, as they live in North London. When you live so far away from home, it's really nice to have close family friends you can count on. They have been so concerned about me all these years, plus they are SO much fun to be with. There's never a dull moment with the O'Sullivans!

When my mum was visiting they invited us out to dinner to Joe Allen's, a restaurant in Covent Garden, in the West End of London. I used to work very close to Covent Garden, and I THOUGHT I knew all the good restaurants in the area. Evidently not! I'd never heard of Joe Allen's, and was looking forward to trying something new. The food was great and the atmosphere even better. Our waitress was absolutely brilliant, and extremely patient with all our requests and questions. I wondered why I'd never heard of the place before, and was told that they don't really advertise as such- their popularity is through word of mouth. We went on a weekday and it was absolutely PACKED with people, both the pre-theatre crowd, and the post-work crowd. I later discovered that they have branches in New York, Miami and Paris. Thumbs up to Joe Allens- we'll be going there again very soon! Covent Garden's best kept secret is OUT!
Tower Bridge

When people come to visit me in London, one of the places I take them to is the riverside at night. It's usually windy and freezing, but I think the lights on the buildings and bridges reflected on the Thames is so pretty! You also get a sense of space when you walk along the Thames- a breath of fresh air in an otherwise very packed city with lots of narrow streets.

I took my mum to Strada near Tower Bridge when she was visiting. We spent the day in Knightsbridge as she wanted to go to Harrods and Harvey Nichols (mainly to window shop!). We spent the day looking at luxurious clothes, bags, watches, home ware, jewellery and paintings. Harrods has opened their Christmas World which was MAGICAL. I know, I know..it's a bit early for Christmas talk. We haven't even had Deepavali yet! But I LOVE Christmas decorations! Can't wait to put my tree up.

Anyway, back to Tower Bridge. We got to Strada quite early, so we decided to have a cocktail before dinner, while waiting for my boyfriend to meet us after work. We went to Gaucho, 2 doors away from Strada. I had a Bloody Mary (which was VERY strong- they do good cocktails!!). Strada was fine- it's quite a normal Italian chain-type restaurant with decent food. I had the seafood linguine (I love prawns). The best part was the view- it looked out on the Thames, and the lighted Tower Bridge. We were also lucky enough to see the bridge opening for a tall boat to go under it (this does not happen very often!).

Tower Bridge by night

The Real Deal
It's been a while since I've found a book I just haven't been able to put down. At Gatwick Airport when we were leaving for Greece, I popped into W.H. Smith for a quick look. We literally had 5 minutes to spare before boarding so I didn't have a lot of time. I came across the "Biography" section, where they were showcasing biographies of the members of "Dragon's Den". Dragon's Den is a TV show where hopeful entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of very successful "Dragons"- all successful multi-millionaire entrepreneurs in their own right, with lots of cash to spare. They then invest in businesses after hearing the pitch and asking questions, in return for a stake in the business. Since the show, the Dragons have capitalised on the publicity they've received by writing their individual success stories.There were 2 biographies on the shelf- one was Theo Paphitis's, and the other James Caan's. I had 30 seconds to decide between the two, and saw "Sunday Times Best Seller" on the top of James Caan's book. So I grabbed that one and rushed to the cashier. I'm so glad I did, because it was such an interesting read. What makes some people more successful than others? I think a lot of it is to do with taking risks, and going with your gut instinct. James was also constantly looking for ways to grow his business, instead of being complacent and resting on his laurels.

Chinese cookingI've been learning the art of Chinese cooking of late. I love to cook, but have always stuck to either the Indian dishes my mum's taught me over the years, or Western cooking. Chinese food never turns out the way I expect. So I dug out a cook book my mum gave me: "The Best of Chinese Cooking" by Betty Yew, a Malaysian-Chinese cook. So far I've made Fried Garlic Pork, Stir-Fried Brinjals with Minced Meat, and Sweet & Sour Pork. I've been really pleased with the results- it's amazing what a few added ingredients such as Chinese Five-Spice powder and Corn Flour can do! I'm definitely going to try out more dishes. The fantastic thing about Chinese cooking is that it's so QUICK. Curries take a lot of simmering to be really flavourful, but Chinese cooking is done in minutes. Why have I not discovered this before?

***

So London Life continues. It's getting colder now, as winter draws closer. The days are getting shorter, and in a few weeks the clocks go back 1 hour, which means sunset will be even earlier. It hasn't stopped raining today. Growing up in Malaysia, I was used to thunderstorms that would last for 10 minutes and then stop. In England, it drizzles ALL DAY LONG non-stop. At least I got my sunshine fix when we were on holiday, so that'll have to do for now!

Precious In-Between Time

2009-09-10T20:01:00.047+01:00

It's been 17 days since my final day at work. I am between jobs, which is why I have had time on my hands to start blogging. I have not had weeks off work like this in a LONG time. I am certainly not used to it, and have had to tell myself to RELAX about doing absolutely nothing. I've spent the last few years working full time and studying for the ACA. For those non-geeky/corporate people, that's to become an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. I am FINALLY done! Got my result on my last day of work (no, this was not a coincidence- I am a crazy risk-taker, leaving jobs in a recession before having another lined up/ getting my last exam result). I am elated to be done, and relieved that everything has finally worked out. I think my bf is just as elated- he patiently put up with my ridiculous schedule over the last few years and was really supportive throughout the crazy studying sessions, sweat and tears. We had a celebration BBQ when the weather was good- champagne, bbq-ed meats and lovely warm sunshine. I was blissfully happy.

WindsorMy mum is visiting me at the moment. I am spending the days relaxing, sight-seeing, chatting, cooking and shopping with her. We went to Windsor last Tuesday. Windsor is a pretty English town, in the county of Berkshire, famous for Windsor Castle (where Queen Elizabeth apparently spends her weekends), and Eton (former school of Princes William & Harry). We thankfully had gorgeous weather- quite possibly the last warm day of the year. It was 26 degrees and I didn't even need a cardi!! (Very, very rare for England in September).

Windsor Castle

Aerial view of the Castle grounds

We started the day with a tour of the Castle- it actually takes 3 hours to cover the grounds. We began with the exterior, then visited the interior: State Apartments (various rooms ie; "The King's Bedroom" and "The Queen's Reception room", richly furnished indicating exactly how they would have been used), Queen Mary's Dolls' House and St George's chapel.My bf and I had been there before, but it was still nice to go back for a second time. The Dolls' House was once again the highlight- it is a MASSIVE dolls' house (at least 5 feet high), with miniature rooms resembling the actual castle. The plates are real silver, the crowns have real diamonds- and there's real electricity and plumbing! It is placed in a dark room, inside a glass cube, so people can walk around it to view it from all four sides. We weren't allowed to take photos, but I found this picture on line:

Queen Mary's Dolls' House- one of its 4 sides

St George's chapel was built in the early 13th century and is where Henry the VIII is buried. Decadent- that's how I would describe Windsor Castle. Royalty and their decadence. One thing I noticed was that all the employees of the Castle were very good- they went out of their way to help and give us extra bits of info. It was obvious that they only employed English people (there were no foreigners or even British ethnic minorities) who were enthusiastic about the royal family!

The Royal Oak, Windsor

Mum & I went to the Royal Oak pub after that for a late lunch. The food was delicious, and again, the service was good. Maybe it's just central London where customer service is not very good- so everywhere else seems amazingly good to me? After lunch we headed to the river where people were feeding swans (the swans seemed a bit aggressive to me- probably used to people feeding them morning, noon and night). We decided to go on a Boat Trip along the river Thames. It was really peaceful- we passed more swans, mallard ducks, rowers (probably from Eton) and a few very large riverside homes. The commentator on our boat kept telling us who owned the houses and how much they were worth. He seemed a bit fixated on property which I found rather amusing. ("This house is currently owned by Natalie Imbruglia. She bought it 2 years ago for 1.5 million pounds, and it is now worth 2.5 million pounds. That's massive."). Err...mate, it's a giant house in Windsor, a stone's throw from the Queen, with amazing views of the river. What do you expect?FamilyMy immediate family are scattered all over the place- my mum lives in Kuala Lumpur, and my sisters are in Switzerland and Scotland. We rarely ever get to spend time together as a family- or do the "normal" things families do, like going shopping together on a Saturday afternoon, or going for a family gathering together at a relative's house. Such moments are few and far between. That's why when my sister said she was flying down from Zurich to visit my mum and I for the weekend, I was delighted. I got to spend some quality time with my lovely niece Rekha too (pronounced Ray-ka). She is utterly adorable and I love her to pieces!

Rekha & I

My sister brought me my favourite chocolates in the whole world from Switzerland- Sprungli Swiss chocolates. Yum. Heaven in a box.

Sprungli

Shopping
I have been shopping a lot lately- this is what idleness does to you. In my defence, I really needed new work clothes- mine were very old and faded. I managed to get a few basics- a few pencil skirts, some shirts and a classic trench coat. Am really pleased with them- hopefully the ironing won't put me off wearing them regularly! I also bought these yesterday (not for work, but so cool!):

Have banned myself from further shopping, or even entering shops till my next paycheck. Let's hope it works.

The Mousetrap

We went to the St Martin's Theatre at the West End last week to see a play: Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. It is the world's longest running stage production, starting it's first performance 57 years ago. It is a typically English "whodunnit", revolving around a young couple running a Bed and Breakfast for the first time, amidst a snow-storm and several murders in the area. I can't say "whodidit", as at the end of the play they made us promise to "keep the secret of the Mousetrap locked in our hearts". Overall, I thought it was good, but I expected the plot to be a bit "cleverer" than it was.

Greece!

My bf and I are off to Santorini, a Greek island for a week. I can hardly wait. Really looking forward to long swims and wine-fuelled al fresco meals. We deserve it- it's been a long, busy year and I think we both need to spend some quality time together away from the Big Smoke.

New Beginnings

2009-09-09T10:43:00.017+01:00

It's been 5 years since University. 5 years since my idealistic notions of "saving the world", "spreading democracy", "eradicating poverty". Laugh if you wish- but I truly believed that I could some day make a difference in the world.

Then LIFE happened- and along with it the reality of overdrafts and bills.

Maybe someday the 18-year-old in me will resurface. For now, I look forward to new beginnings, and just maybe, finding a bit of that creative spark I used to have. I look forward to seeing things a little less in black and white, and more in shades of grey.