each great civilisation has its golden peak. that was how the great pyramids of egypt, the stepped pyramids of the mayans and the incas, the beautiful monuments of the sumerians (the ziggurat, the hanging gardens etc), puma punku, tiahuanaco of bolivia and others like machu pichu, stonehenge etc, were built. they had the technology then. very advanced for their age.
just look at the ruins of tiahuanaco. the huge rocks were finely and perfectly chiselled. must have used a super mechanism. and technology.
much like we have ours now.
when each civilisation reached its pinnacle, it annihilated itself or was destroyed by outside forces. by our Creator actually. due to various reasons.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
kiko misses koko
it was such a sweet reunion. koko came home yesterday much to the amazement and joy of kiko.
they ran hither and thither as before. jumped on top pf their cage. played hide and seek amongst the huge dried keledang leaves. chased each other endlessly. and slept side by side like 2 fluffly balls. one grey. the other black.
they missed each other obviously.
they ran hither and thither as before. jumped on top pf their cage. played hide and seek amongst the huge dried keledang leaves. chased each other endlessly. and slept side by side like 2 fluffly balls. one grey. the other black.
they missed each other obviously.
Friday, 9 November 2012
in the garden with kiko
she did some gardening this morning. accompanied by little kiko who hopped about merrily among the ferns.
she trimmed the grass. pulled out weeds. pruned the jasmine shrubs.
the weather was great. a little breeze blew. 2 black with red and white spots butterflies hovered about the blazing heliconias. little yellow breasted birds sat on the branches of the mengkudu plant.
and little kiko had a fine time looking here there everywhere. munching the grass. sniffing familiar flower pots. having a good time.
she trimmed the grass. pulled out weeds. pruned the jasmine shrubs.
the weather was great. a little breeze blew. 2 black with red and white spots butterflies hovered about the blazing heliconias. little yellow breasted birds sat on the branches of the mengkudu plant.
and little kiko had a fine time looking here there everywhere. munching the grass. sniffing familiar flower pots. having a good time.
her love for painting
she loves painting. since she was a small quiet girl. color pencils, water color, crayons. felt pens. air brush. now oils.
portraits, landscapes, the absurd. caricatures. buildings.
there was a stage when she adored salvador dali's works.
once she did a series of detailed leaf drawings.
her schoolbooks had all sorts of drawings everywhere. people. fashion. houses. hopes.
her chemistry textbooks' margins raged with fashionable teenagers. bell bottoms. afro hairdos. her physics books filled to the brim with exotic houses. dream abodes. her castle-in-the-air. her biology books had alien creatures.
the varsity years gave much pleasure as she had to produce scores of perspectives. interiors. exteriors. bird's eye view. worm's eye view. the works. no cad in those days.
then she entered the work space. during dull unending meetings she sketched to her heart's content. tudung styles. corporate wear. stilettos. handbags. jewellery. wendy houses for her kids. tree houses.
such joy in drawing. and painting.
portraits, landscapes, the absurd. caricatures. buildings.
there was a stage when she adored salvador dali's works.
once she did a series of detailed leaf drawings.
her schoolbooks had all sorts of drawings everywhere. people. fashion. houses. hopes.
her chemistry textbooks' margins raged with fashionable teenagers. bell bottoms. afro hairdos. her physics books filled to the brim with exotic houses. dream abodes. her castle-in-the-air. her biology books had alien creatures.
the varsity years gave much pleasure as she had to produce scores of perspectives. interiors. exteriors. bird's eye view. worm's eye view. the works. no cad in those days.
then she entered the work space. during dull unending meetings she sketched to her heart's content. tudung styles. corporate wear. stilettos. handbags. jewellery. wendy houses for her kids. tree houses.
such joy in drawing. and painting.
the western sky at sunset
if only she could capture the splashes of ever changing colors on the canvas of the western skies.
each second, each moment. each different hue of the brightest scarlet fading ever so subtly into shades of magenta, fuchsia, and the palest of lilac, soft lemon ....and then to linger just an instant before vanishing into oblivion....on the threshold of night...
so ephemeral.
each second, each moment. each different hue of the brightest scarlet fading ever so subtly into shades of magenta, fuchsia, and the palest of lilac, soft lemon ....and then to linger just an instant before vanishing into oblivion....on the threshold of night...
so ephemeral.
english lessons in the park
she took 6 of her students to the park this morning. she guided them in essay writing. grammar. they had a spelling test. drawing too. the wakaf (gazebo) beside the deer enclosure provided seating.
but she realised they were not focused. the fine morning, the other people there. it was quite a task to hold their attention.
then they went to the library. the kids had a great time reading story books and even comics. the important thing is - their interest in reading.
and there is this one boy. 8 years of age. his father is a lorry driver. his mother works in a factory. he is quiet, rather shy. but very hard working. very eager to learn more. reads english books quite well for a primary two boy. he is punctual.he attends classes each week without fail. he does everything he is asked to. he tries his best. he is always coming to her with his spelling or maths. anything. and he draws very well for his age! even better than most of the other much older students! his attitude fills her heart with joy. she prays he will be an engineer. or an architect one day! a successful responsible Muslim professional!
and then he can give his parents happiness and comfort in their old age.
but she realised they were not focused. the fine morning, the other people there. it was quite a task to hold their attention.
then they went to the library. the kids had a great time reading story books and even comics. the important thing is - their interest in reading.
and there is this one boy. 8 years of age. his father is a lorry driver. his mother works in a factory. he is quiet, rather shy. but very hard working. very eager to learn more. reads english books quite well for a primary two boy. he is punctual.he attends classes each week without fail. he does everything he is asked to. he tries his best. he is always coming to her with his spelling or maths. anything. and he draws very well for his age! even better than most of the other much older students! his attitude fills her heart with joy. she prays he will be an engineer. or an architect one day! a successful responsible Muslim professional!
and then he can give his parents happiness and comfort in their old age.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
thinking of nasi ulam
when she was young, she looked forward to Ramadhan for the food especially. being a kid .
iftar would have delicious home made kuehs. tepung talam. buah melaka. kueh koci. mertabak. cucur udang and kuah kacang. curry puffs. kueh kosui. seri muka. abuk-abuk. pulut udang. each evening would have one type of really tasty kueh. made with love.
and the nasi ulam. gorgeous nasi ulam. boiled rice mixed with lots and lots of herbs (daun mata itik, daun sekentut, daun kadok, cekur etc etc) collected from the hills. kerisik. salted fish. paste of shallots and dried chillies. ginger. onions, bunga kantan.
the herbal mix was also sold by some enterprising villagers. brought around the village by children on bicycles. wrapped in banana leaves like the nasi lemak, one cost only about 20 sen then.
she also remembered ice blocks were sold by these kids too. in those days there were no fridges in the village homes. each block of ice the size of a brick cost 10 sen. but then a kati of sugar was only 30 sen !
ah, yesterday when she was young....
iftar would have delicious home made kuehs. tepung talam. buah melaka. kueh koci. mertabak. cucur udang and kuah kacang. curry puffs. kueh kosui. seri muka. abuk-abuk. pulut udang. each evening would have one type of really tasty kueh. made with love.
and the nasi ulam. gorgeous nasi ulam. boiled rice mixed with lots and lots of herbs (daun mata itik, daun sekentut, daun kadok, cekur etc etc) collected from the hills. kerisik. salted fish. paste of shallots and dried chillies. ginger. onions, bunga kantan.
the herbal mix was also sold by some enterprising villagers. brought around the village by children on bicycles. wrapped in banana leaves like the nasi lemak, one cost only about 20 sen then.
she also remembered ice blocks were sold by these kids too. in those days there were no fridges in the village homes. each block of ice the size of a brick cost 10 sen. but then a kati of sugar was only 30 sen !
ah, yesterday when she was young....
cabbage pancakes
she saw it in tv. a cabbage pancake.
made of plenty of shredded cabbage, spring onions, diced chillies, onions, carrot, coriander leaves. mix with a little flour in water (batter), a pinch of salt.
cooked with just a wee drop of oil in a non-stick pan.
heigh-ho ... a very tasty, healthy pancake!
made of plenty of shredded cabbage, spring onions, diced chillies, onions, carrot, coriander leaves. mix with a little flour in water (batter), a pinch of salt.
cooked with just a wee drop of oil in a non-stick pan.
heigh-ho ... a very tasty, healthy pancake!
kain pelikat
she was watching a documentary about the remote settlements of the amazon basin. then she realised that here was something familiar.
the male indigenous people were wearing kain pelikat. not one. not two. but all of them.
the same chequered patterns. in blues. greens. lilac. etc.
the universal sarong!
and to think that all these while she thought the sarong is synonymous only with asia, the pacific islands, the Malay archipelago, australia, new zealand.
actually the sarong is a basic piece of clothing worn by people from the hill tribes of east asia (taiwan, myanmar, thailand, laos, kemboja etc ) to the population of india, the Malay archipelago, the indigenous people (original) people of australia, new zealand, hawaii and the pacific atolls, people in central asia, south america, africa etc etc...
although the advent of 'westernised' apparel (jeans, shirts etc) has wreaked radical changes in the world's clothing style, the sarong remains.
because it is so very simple and so very versatile. and so comfortable too.
ask the hippies with their pareos!
the male indigenous people were wearing kain pelikat. not one. not two. but all of them.
the same chequered patterns. in blues. greens. lilac. etc.
the universal sarong!
and to think that all these while she thought the sarong is synonymous only with asia, the pacific islands, the Malay archipelago, australia, new zealand.
actually the sarong is a basic piece of clothing worn by people from the hill tribes of east asia (taiwan, myanmar, thailand, laos, kemboja etc ) to the population of india, the Malay archipelago, the indigenous people (original) people of australia, new zealand, hawaii and the pacific atolls, people in central asia, south america, africa etc etc...
although the advent of 'westernised' apparel (jeans, shirts etc) has wreaked radical changes in the world's clothing style, the sarong remains.
because it is so very simple and so very versatile. and so comfortable too.
ask the hippies with their pareos!
some herbal remedies
guava shoots - grind in a mortar, mix with cooled water.drink. for tummy aches. and food poisoning.
akar cerita - boil with water over low heat for about 2 hours.drink. lowers blood sugar.
soursop leaves (daun durian belanda) - mix leaves with water. bathe using this mixrure. lowers body temperature (to normal) in a fever. for headaches.
pegaga juice - for good blood circulation.
aloe vera - gel in the leaves blocks air from skin splashed with hot oil and the like, prevents blisters from forming. any type of oil works the same. the skin can also be pressed to any cold surface like ice. avoid water. the gel can also be placed on wounds. the gel also soothes sore throats.
tamarind - mix with warm water. drink to heal sore throat, coughs, to lower (high) body temperature in a fever, maintain good blood pressure,
star fruit - blend with cooled water. drink. for good healthy blood pressure.
daun lemuni - eaten as kerabu. or cook with rice. keeps a person generally healthy.
hibiscus leaves - mix with water. apply to head. for headaches. good also for the hair. keeps it black.
betel nut leaves ( daun sireh ) - mix with water. apply to head for headaches. boil with water and use as an intimate cleansing fluid.
gambir - mix with water. apply to nose to relieve blocked nose in flu/common cold.
tea - strong, preferably sugarless tea is very good for food poisoning. really works.
boiled rice fluid - drink. for dehydration. especially in infants.
seroja root - grind with a little water. apply to boils on skin.
neem (mambu) leaves - a bunch of these rubbed over the skin in chicken pox/ measles cases. the chemicals in the leaves sooth skin irritation.
serai/ lemon grass - boil with water. simmer. drink. for kidney stones cases.
cabbage - eat raw preferably in salads, as ulam, in coleslaw etc. good for the heart. always have cabbage in the fridge. eat as often as possible.
mengkudu leaves - eat as ulam, in kerabu or boil with water. blend with water. drink. good for health.
ginger - boil with water. drink. for stomach inflammation (that bloated feeling).halba can also be added.
coconut juice - drink. heals food poisoning. lowers (high) body temperature.
akar cerita - boil with water over low heat for about 2 hours.drink. lowers blood sugar.
soursop leaves (daun durian belanda) - mix leaves with water. bathe using this mixrure. lowers body temperature (to normal) in a fever. for headaches.
pegaga juice - for good blood circulation.
aloe vera - gel in the leaves blocks air from skin splashed with hot oil and the like, prevents blisters from forming. any type of oil works the same. the skin can also be pressed to any cold surface like ice. avoid water. the gel can also be placed on wounds. the gel also soothes sore throats.
tamarind - mix with warm water. drink to heal sore throat, coughs, to lower (high) body temperature in a fever, maintain good blood pressure,
star fruit - blend with cooled water. drink. for good healthy blood pressure.
daun lemuni - eaten as kerabu. or cook with rice. keeps a person generally healthy.
hibiscus leaves - mix with water. apply to head. for headaches. good also for the hair. keeps it black.
betel nut leaves ( daun sireh ) - mix with water. apply to head for headaches. boil with water and use as an intimate cleansing fluid.
gambir - mix with water. apply to nose to relieve blocked nose in flu/common cold.
tea - strong, preferably sugarless tea is very good for food poisoning. really works.
boiled rice fluid - drink. for dehydration. especially in infants.
seroja root - grind with a little water. apply to boils on skin.
neem (mambu) leaves - a bunch of these rubbed over the skin in chicken pox/ measles cases. the chemicals in the leaves sooth skin irritation.
serai/ lemon grass - boil with water. simmer. drink. for kidney stones cases.
cabbage - eat raw preferably in salads, as ulam, in coleslaw etc. good for the heart. always have cabbage in the fridge. eat as often as possible.
mengkudu leaves - eat as ulam, in kerabu or boil with water. blend with water. drink. good for health.
ginger - boil with water. drink. for stomach inflammation (that bloated feeling).halba can also be added.
coconut juice - drink. heals food poisoning. lowers (high) body temperature.
little kiko
dear little kiko is clever besides being so cute and fluffy.
she is toilet trained. although she has free run of the wet kitchen, she doesn't mess it with her poop and urine. she poops and urinates in her cage! and always in the same position, facing the door as if sitting on a wc.
she eats a little at a time. pellets, cabbage, kangkung, lettuce, galangal shoots, ferns. carrots, yam bean and dried keledang leaves. yes, dried leaves. she has a few mouthfuls of those crisp brown leaves after eating the other foodstuff.
and kiko just loves pandan leaves!
if she is full and you still offer food to her, she will refuse it by tipping the food container. or a water container.
then she grooms herself not unlike a cat. licking her fur. pawing her face etc.
she drinks water in her cage.
she will look straight into your eyes if you talk softly to her. as if she understands every word.
she loves sitting on top of her cage when it is cold, raining. and lay on the floor next to a cool tiled wall in the hot afternoons.
she rushes to the kitchen door whenever it is opened. she loves being petted, closing her eyes as if asleep.
kiko dear, you are one bright rabbit.
she is toilet trained. although she has free run of the wet kitchen, she doesn't mess it with her poop and urine. she poops and urinates in her cage! and always in the same position, facing the door as if sitting on a wc.
she eats a little at a time. pellets, cabbage, kangkung, lettuce, galangal shoots, ferns. carrots, yam bean and dried keledang leaves. yes, dried leaves. she has a few mouthfuls of those crisp brown leaves after eating the other foodstuff.
and kiko just loves pandan leaves!
if she is full and you still offer food to her, she will refuse it by tipping the food container. or a water container.
then she grooms herself not unlike a cat. licking her fur. pawing her face etc.
she drinks water in her cage.
she will look straight into your eyes if you talk softly to her. as if she understands every word.
she loves sitting on top of her cage when it is cold, raining. and lay on the floor next to a cool tiled wall in the hot afternoons.
she rushes to the kitchen door whenever it is opened. she loves being petted, closing her eyes as if asleep.
kiko dear, you are one bright rabbit.
Monday, 5 November 2012
some lovely lyrics
' like a night in the forest
like a mountain in springtime
like a walk in the rain
like a storm in a desert
like a sleepy blue ocean .... '
' time can never mend
the careless whispers of a good friend
to the heart and mind
ignorance is kind
there's no comfort in the truth
pain is all you find ...
should've known better than to cheat a friend
and waste the chance that i've been given
...... '
' starry starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
shadows on a hill
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chill
in colors on the snowy winterland
starry starry night
flaming flowers that brightly blazed
swirling clouds and violet haze
reflected in vincent's eyes of china blue
colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hands ...
potraits hung in empty halls
frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watched the world
and can't forget
like the strangers that we met
the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorns of a loving rose
lie crushed and broken on the vrgin snow ... '
' memories... light the corners of my mind
misty water colored memories
of the way we were...
scattered pictures ... of the smiles we left behind
smiles we gave to one another, for the way we were...
can it be that it was all so simple then
or had time rewritten every line
if we had the chance to do it all again
tell me would we... could we...
laughter ... may be beautiful but then
what's too painful to remember
maybe we should forget ...
for the way we were....'
' no i can't forget this evening
or your face as you were leaving
but i guess that's just the way the story goes
you always smile but in your eyes
your sorrow shows.... yes it shows...
no i can;t forget tomorrow
when i think of all my sorrow
well i had you there but then i let you go
and now its only fair that i should let you know
what you should know... '
' i'm thinking of you
in my sleepless solitude tonight
if its wrong to love you
then my heart just won't let me be right... '
' i thought some time alone
was what we really needed
you said this time would hurt more than it helps
but i couldn't see that
i thought it was the end of a beautiful story
and so i left the one i love at home to be alone ... '
like a mountain in springtime
like a walk in the rain
like a storm in a desert
like a sleepy blue ocean .... '
' time can never mend
the careless whispers of a good friend
to the heart and mind
ignorance is kind
there's no comfort in the truth
pain is all you find ...
should've known better than to cheat a friend
and waste the chance that i've been given
...... '
' starry starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
shadows on a hill
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chill
in colors on the snowy winterland
starry starry night
flaming flowers that brightly blazed
swirling clouds and violet haze
reflected in vincent's eyes of china blue
colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hands ...
potraits hung in empty halls
frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watched the world
and can't forget
like the strangers that we met
the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorns of a loving rose
lie crushed and broken on the vrgin snow ... '
' memories... light the corners of my mind
misty water colored memories
of the way we were...
scattered pictures ... of the smiles we left behind
smiles we gave to one another, for the way we were...
can it be that it was all so simple then
or had time rewritten every line
if we had the chance to do it all again
tell me would we... could we...
laughter ... may be beautiful but then
what's too painful to remember
maybe we should forget ...
for the way we were....'
' no i can't forget this evening
or your face as you were leaving
but i guess that's just the way the story goes
you always smile but in your eyes
your sorrow shows.... yes it shows...
no i can;t forget tomorrow
when i think of all my sorrow
well i had you there but then i let you go
and now its only fair that i should let you know
what you should know... '
' i'm thinking of you
in my sleepless solitude tonight
if its wrong to love you
then my heart just won't let me be right... '
' i thought some time alone
was what we really needed
you said this time would hurt more than it helps
but i couldn't see that
i thought it was the end of a beautiful story
and so i left the one i love at home to be alone ... '
the beauty of patience
it is healing. it is sublime. it calms. it enlightens. it makes philosophers and sages out of man.
it clears vision and leads the trail to wisdom. and greatness. and inner strength.
patience in man transcends almost all else. it purifies the soul. it enriches the faithful. it is the most beautiful of sensations.
the Hijrah. nothing is permanent but the Hijrah. patience smooths the transition. its beauty magnifies the returns. the Hijrah is a gift to mankind.
for eternity.
it clears vision and leads the trail to wisdom. and greatness. and inner strength.
patience in man transcends almost all else. it purifies the soul. it enriches the faithful. it is the most beautiful of sensations.
the Hijrah. nothing is permanent but the Hijrah. patience smooths the transition. its beauty magnifies the returns. the Hijrah is a gift to mankind.
for eternity.
of cities and parks
kuala lumpur has the lake gardens. so does seremban. and taiping. new york has central park, london - hyde park to name a few.
sungai petani has the jubilee park. tanjong has kebun bunga.
esfahan has one of the world's best gardens. Islamic concept. like those superb gardens in the Alhambra.
these are the green lungs that give cities and towns a measure of equilibrium. man made concrete forests cooled by the wonders of nature. of the role of flora and all the elements. water. grass. birds. wind. sunlight. moonlight. rain. snow. butterflies. trees and plenty of trees of course.
parks no matter how big or small add that special richness to places. softening the harshness, anonymity and unfriendliness of towering blocks of concrete, steel and glass. of unending roads. carbon monoxide. noise. heat. madness.
the greens add a touch of feeling to a city. a garden, a park. it is an oasis that attracts man and animals alike. it is a balm to the nerves and tired minds. it is an elixir.
it is paradise on earth.
sungai petani has the jubilee park. tanjong has kebun bunga.
esfahan has one of the world's best gardens. Islamic concept. like those superb gardens in the Alhambra.
these are the green lungs that give cities and towns a measure of equilibrium. man made concrete forests cooled by the wonders of nature. of the role of flora and all the elements. water. grass. birds. wind. sunlight. moonlight. rain. snow. butterflies. trees and plenty of trees of course.
parks no matter how big or small add that special richness to places. softening the harshness, anonymity and unfriendliness of towering blocks of concrete, steel and glass. of unending roads. carbon monoxide. noise. heat. madness.
the greens add a touch of feeling to a city. a garden, a park. it is an oasis that attracts man and animals alike. it is a balm to the nerves and tired minds. it is an elixir.
it is paradise on earth.
pegaga juice
a tall glass of chilled pegaga juice in the evenings is pure bliss.
she'd look for the authentic herb at the night or morning markets, pasar tani and the likes. those tiny rounded green leaves with crimped edges that covers the ground in village vegetable gardens.
then she'd blend them leaves, roots and all. the result - a deep green juice sweet on its own without adding sugar. chill it with plenty of ice cubes or leave it in the fridge for a few minutes.
ah .... it is so invigorating, so deliciously fresh and thirst quenching!
she'd look for the authentic herb at the night or morning markets, pasar tani and the likes. those tiny rounded green leaves with crimped edges that covers the ground in village vegetable gardens.
then she'd blend them leaves, roots and all. the result - a deep green juice sweet on its own without adding sugar. chill it with plenty of ice cubes or leave it in the fridge for a few minutes.
ah .... it is so invigorating, so deliciously fresh and thirst quenching!
Sunday, 4 November 2012
painting trips
it was the early 90's. they often went up bukit bendera for the weekend. her children love the misty mornings and evenings up there. wandering in the mossy gardens as if fairyland. and the cold cold nights snuggling under layers of blankets.
she gave each of the boys and girls pieces of drawing paper and boxes of color pencils. they then went round looking for vistas or buildings or flora to draw and color. she'd give prizes for the best. but usually all 5 ended up getting prizes!
some weekends when she was busy in the kitchen at home, she'd organise a painting competition at the porch. using water color her young children would paint to their heart's content. and she could cook without disturbance.
then they'd play in plastic pools on the lawn, filled to the brim with water. it was good to hear their joyous shouts and laughter. she'd prepare tons of food after that for the 5 kids!
in the living room was a rather large almost 5 ft high double storey doll house made of plywood painted white and pink with a blue roof. the boys and girls would play in the doll house with their dolls and teddies, sometimes getting stuck in the rooms!
she had a beautiful childhood. she wanted her children to have one too.
she gave each of the boys and girls pieces of drawing paper and boxes of color pencils. they then went round looking for vistas or buildings or flora to draw and color. she'd give prizes for the best. but usually all 5 ended up getting prizes!
some weekends when she was busy in the kitchen at home, she'd organise a painting competition at the porch. using water color her young children would paint to their heart's content. and she could cook without disturbance.
then they'd play in plastic pools on the lawn, filled to the brim with water. it was good to hear their joyous shouts and laughter. she'd prepare tons of food after that for the 5 kids!
in the living room was a rather large almost 5 ft high double storey doll house made of plywood painted white and pink with a blue roof. the boys and girls would play in the doll house with their dolls and teddies, sometimes getting stuck in the rooms!
she had a beautiful childhood. she wanted her children to have one too.
popeye soup
when cooking for her young children in the late 80's and early 90's, she'd use all kinds of gimmick to make eating vegetables fun.
weekdays she'd cook dinner as soon as she arrived home from the office. her kids used to quarrel over bowls of piping hot spinach and anchovies soup which she named 'popeye soup'! they'd finish the simple yet nutritious soup within seconds. remember popeye the sailorman?
then she'd make carrot flowers, cucumber fishes, egg salads with enticing fresh sparkling green lettuce, yellow egg yolks, rings of onions, cucumber and dashes of chilly sauce. colorful, attractively laid in cheerful stoneware plates.
she'd decorate dishes with chilly, spring onion flowers. (the chilly flowers turned into hearty sambal belacan the next evening). sprinkle raisins on tomato rice. made green colored drinks and sorbets. cakes, cookies, even simple fritters and puddings came in various shapes, colors, designs and sizes. there'd be fritters that looked like goats, cats, hens even dinosaurs. her girls and boys would snatch the prawn fritters as soon as they were cooked
some evenings they'd pack dinner curry and all and had a picnic by moonlight on the grassy waterfront facing the penang bridge.
weekends they'd have tea on the lawn where there was a garden set with a sunny yellow umbrella.
it was fun.
weekdays she'd cook dinner as soon as she arrived home from the office. her kids used to quarrel over bowls of piping hot spinach and anchovies soup which she named 'popeye soup'! they'd finish the simple yet nutritious soup within seconds. remember popeye the sailorman?
then she'd make carrot flowers, cucumber fishes, egg salads with enticing fresh sparkling green lettuce, yellow egg yolks, rings of onions, cucumber and dashes of chilly sauce. colorful, attractively laid in cheerful stoneware plates.
she'd decorate dishes with chilly, spring onion flowers. (the chilly flowers turned into hearty sambal belacan the next evening). sprinkle raisins on tomato rice. made green colored drinks and sorbets. cakes, cookies, even simple fritters and puddings came in various shapes, colors, designs and sizes. there'd be fritters that looked like goats, cats, hens even dinosaurs. her girls and boys would snatch the prawn fritters as soon as they were cooked
some evenings they'd pack dinner curry and all and had a picnic by moonlight on the grassy waterfront facing the penang bridge.
weekends they'd have tea on the lawn where there was a garden set with a sunny yellow umbrella.
it was fun.
Saturday, 3 November 2012
tuna loaf
for lunch today she cooked laksam, fried koay teow and savoury tuna loaf. tall tumblers of iced milo accompanied .
when young her children loved chicken loaf, prawn loaf even fish loaf. she'd mix bread crust (trimmed from sandwiches and kept in the freezer till use) soaked in water with spring onions, coriander leaves, diced onions, garlic, carrot, peas, eggs, a little butter, salt, pepper, cumin. plus any leftover chicken, fish, prawn, crab or tuna. baked for an hour and spread cheese on top. eaten with chilli sauce.
simple, wholesome food.
her telephone
did alexander graham bell ever imagine the incredible journey telephones would take through time? and the role and impact it has on society? on economy?
she has an antiquated model many would cringe to be seen with. a black mobile costing less than rm200.00. tiny. just the basics. no internet. no camera. nothing fancy at all. no berry. no apple. no sour grapes. her children nag and nag, even offer to buy her the latest gadget.
she laughs and said the telephone is just a necessity to her. not a toy. not fashion. not a trophy to flash to others. why should she keep changing models just to be 'in'? why waste good money on such unnecessary luxuries. anyway who decides what is trendy. what is style? is being stylish anything at all to do with being a slave of fashion and the market forces?
perhaps it is her dislike to go along with the crowd. perhaps it is thomas hardy's 'far from the madding crowd' effect.
she looks with amusement from afar at all the hullaballoo and hype surrounding this gadget craze.
but then, to each his own ..... it is fine for those who need sophisticated models in their line of work. or those who can very well afford it of course. those who depend on their mobiles for almost everything. they need the various facilities the phone offers. in this exciting age of technology. and convenience.
she has an antiquated model many would cringe to be seen with. a black mobile costing less than rm200.00. tiny. just the basics. no internet. no camera. nothing fancy at all. no berry. no apple. no sour grapes. her children nag and nag, even offer to buy her the latest gadget.
she laughs and said the telephone is just a necessity to her. not a toy. not fashion. not a trophy to flash to others. why should she keep changing models just to be 'in'? why waste good money on such unnecessary luxuries. anyway who decides what is trendy. what is style? is being stylish anything at all to do with being a slave of fashion and the market forces?
perhaps it is her dislike to go along with the crowd. perhaps it is thomas hardy's 'far from the madding crowd' effect.
she looks with amusement from afar at all the hullaballoo and hype surrounding this gadget craze.
but then, to each his own ..... it is fine for those who need sophisticated models in their line of work. or those who can very well afford it of course. those who depend on their mobiles for almost everything. they need the various facilities the phone offers. in this exciting age of technology. and convenience.
the ikan kembong
often bypassed in the markets. small. insignificant. never served in 5 star rsetaurants.
yet it is one fish she loves. the ikan kembong. humble. at the lower end of the fishy spectrum. cheap.
but great fried simply in turmeric. eaten piping hot with rice and sambal belacan. or with pajeri nenas. or boiled and eaten with air asam. or boiled with asam gelugor and salt then fried. or cooked into asam pedas. curry with okra. singgang. masak cuka with plenty of garlic, onion, red chillies, ginger, vinegar. masak asam northern style. masak kicap. cooked with fermented soyabean. in laksa gravy. serunding ikan. as filling in curry puffs. pulut panggang, in bergedil, in savoury loaves .....etc etc
it is often the little little things that count ......
yet it is one fish she loves. the ikan kembong. humble. at the lower end of the fishy spectrum. cheap.
but great fried simply in turmeric. eaten piping hot with rice and sambal belacan. or with pajeri nenas. or boiled and eaten with air asam. or boiled with asam gelugor and salt then fried. or cooked into asam pedas. curry with okra. singgang. masak cuka with plenty of garlic, onion, red chillies, ginger, vinegar. masak asam northern style. masak kicap. cooked with fermented soyabean. in laksa gravy. serunding ikan. as filling in curry puffs. pulut panggang, in bergedil, in savoury loaves .....etc etc
it is often the little little things that count ......
the batik sarong
it is such a versatile piece of apparel. it is worn throughout the Malay Archipelago and more. from taiwan to the pacific islands. from china to india. and all other countries in the vicinity. especially in south east asia. in various forms. by men and women.
to her the batik sarong is an epitome of design. less is so much more.
the kain batik as it is called in the Malay Peninsula comes in various cheerful hues and patterns. in comfortable cotton good for the tropics. worn night and day. anywhere.
when she was younger she did not really see its beauty.
now she is an avid collector. she has a great time purchasing them on her trips to Langkawi. and the east coast. she loves the vibrant colors, the intricate motives. the fine scented cotton so cool to the touch.
ah, what ingenuity of mind to produce such a simple yet wholesome and beautiful piece of apparel lasting through and used thousands of years and more!
to her the batik sarong is an epitome of design. less is so much more.
the kain batik as it is called in the Malay Peninsula comes in various cheerful hues and patterns. in comfortable cotton good for the tropics. worn night and day. anywhere.
when she was younger she did not really see its beauty.
now she is an avid collector. she has a great time purchasing them on her trips to Langkawi. and the east coast. she loves the vibrant colors, the intricate motives. the fine scented cotton so cool to the touch.
ah, what ingenuity of mind to produce such a simple yet wholesome and beautiful piece of apparel lasting through and used thousands of years and more!
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