Some Book Reviews, 2016

Dracula: Bram Stoker's most famous story has a unique way of narrating to make fiction as real as it could be, at least in the 1800s. Documents, letters, telegrams, diary entries and newspaper reports were collated to present an account of vampirism. In certain chapters, there were local dialects and pidgins included, which were difficult to decipher and just took the fun out of reading the story. Other than that, perhaps most striking to me was the titular character was unseen most of the time, with the other characters mentioning him briefly, yet Dracula was scary in an insidious way. He isn't a straight up, come-at-you-to-wreak-havoc villain, but a beast with a very clear mind and purpose hatching schemes and bidding his time to come. Voldemort is probably moulded after Dracula (sharing of blood, two way connection... see what you did there Rowling!) The pace of the story was steady and sometimes boring, when the intensity was built up, the ending came abrupt and flat. I would say this narrative paved the way for future horror writers, as certain elements so common nowadays were already included in Dracula.

All the Light We Cannot See: Told through the eyes of two children of different nationalities living in the times of World War 2, Doerr brought to life a story of courage, hope and resilience. Here we have a blind French girl navigating her way through her keen seen of touch and smell; there we have an inventive German boy with albinism making tough choices between realising his potential and staying true to himself. What seemed like disparate threads of the story came together through an ingenious arrangement by the author. This was one of the very few good reads that I've come by in recent years, and I especially like the author's rich vivid descriptions of the things the female protagonist touched or smelled. His storytelling soothes me, like a blanket of calm settling over me as the storm rages outside. The length of each chapter is quite short, and it was perfect for my pre-bedtime reading.

China Rich Girlfriend: Oh, the lengths I went to hunt for a copy of this novel! I never liked how US publishers treat their mass-produced softcover novels: ugly font type, tissue thin pages and low quality covers. If I can help it, I will search for the same title published in the UK or elsewhere, as was the case with "China Rich Girlfriend". I got the Australian version at a bookstore near my workplace and it was worth every cent. Simple red-and-black cover with the title in bold white lettering, the manuscript set in an elegant yet easy-to-read font and printed on paper that wouldn't crease when flipped ... all the more enjoyable when I hopped on to the wild ride that the author provided. I thought the author did an outstanding job in "Crazy Rich Asians", and he outdid himself in this sequel which also explored the lives of affluent Chinese people, this time in China. I like how he layered the characters so that they were convincingly real, and how he wrote about the feelings and psychology behind maintaining a materialistic life. From the little hints that the author dropped throughout the book, it seemed like there will be a third book coming (YAY!).

Career of Evil: I like how Rowling came up with fresh ideas to work on, for each of the installments in her Cormoran Strike series. This time, it's Body Integrity Identity Disorder, where otherwise healthy and functioning individuals get rid of certain parts of their body to match their mind's impression of what they should look like. I haven't come across this condition until I read this book, and was quite impressed to find all-rounded discussion of it through the lens of the characters. Rowling also went off the beaten path in search of new locales to set her story in, which made the story all the more enjoyable. At times, she included a few "moral of the story" moments that, to me, felt out of place with the plot. Rowling could've left subtler hints for us readers to arrive at her intended message, rather than spelling out the terms so clearly as if it were a high-school essay. All in all, a neat piece of work, the kind that educates more than entertains. Rowling played it safe with this one.

The Little Prince: For a "modern classic" (whatever that means), this story is short and can easily be related to. The author used simple analogies and not-so-subtle references to poke at our own human failures and societal injustices. I especially like that the author included some of his hand-painted drawings in his work to bring out his points. Although it is meant for children and adults alike, I think that the story is a grown-up's version of a bedtime story/ lullaby. 

1984: The author was excellent in setting the mood for each phase of the story. You get the constricted feeling of living in a suppressed society where nothing is quite right, then the adrenaline rush of trying not to get caught red-handed, to the final breakdown and despair at trying to subvert an existing system but failed. Many of the elements found in the story still prevail in our current society, like war, economic growth, media etc. What truly stood out was that the author had dissected the way how things are and why they exist. The author had arrived at atomic bits of "truth", and this is why the story is still powerful and shocking to many of us today. From the beginning to the end, it was engaging and masterful storytelling at work.

Pink Blossoms!

A jog in the park, a quiet morning to enjoy a cup of chilled coffee, a quarter-hour's worth of reading for pleasure — it takes very little to make me happy, actually. All I need are these small moments to recharge my battery.

I don't have much to offer in terms of life updates, except to say that I was so glad to encounter these pink blossoms shed by that tree pictured above. Wonder what it's called. Seems like some trees here still live as if there were seasons.

Pursuing Happiness

People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer, all life for happiness. 

Happiness is overrated. We put in so much effort trying to be happy and when we fall short of that goal, we end up feeling unhappy (ironic huh). I realised from a very young age that I just seem not hardwired to feel happiness intensely. Anxiety and melancholy are more familiar companions, while happiness is like a distant cousin who visits irregularly. This works out fine for me, because when I do feel happy, after a long spell of living with negative emotions, it is all the more genuine and welcoming, like rain after a drought. 

If I think about it deeper, this is actually unhealthy. Why? Because there lurk two assumptions: happiness is "earned" and happiness is beyond my control. First, in order for me to be happy, I have to go through various ordeals, like working long hours during the weekdays then only getting to unwind during the weekend. Happiness, then, is a consequence - something has to happen before I can be happy. Second, in order for me to be happy, I have to wait for someone else to bestow it on me, like getting a paycheck at the end of the month, or getting a gift on my birthday, or praying hard until something I desire happens. Happiness, in this regard, occurs only on special occasions when someone else decides to be, well, generous.

It doesn't have to be like that, I soon realised. I don't have to "save it for later" every time something good comes along. I don't have to endure life before I enjoy it. I can take small steps finding joy in every day. Taking coffee when I feel like savouring the taste of it, not just to keep myself awake. Reading another chapter of whatever book I'm currently enjoying. Listening to songs that match my mood of the moment, but not putting them on repeat. Setting aside some personal time at the end of the day, doing what I feel like doing - could be reading, could be another episode of TV drama, could be refreshing news updates on my phone. Monitoring my expenses so I don't splurge on impulse purchases and don't skimp on basic necessities. Cutting down on stress eating, specifically junk food and caffeinated drinks. Getting afternoon naps during the weekends. Being more mindful of what I speak so I don't offend other people or put myself in a bad situation. Organising and cleaning my room to minimise clutter and dust. Spending quality time with family and close friends. Visiting new places to eat/drink during lunch breaks. 

Writing this out has made me understand that there are so many ways to make myself happy. Accumulating possessions makes me happy, but this kind of materialistic happiness wears off quickly and is tiresome to maintain. Gaining new experiences and tending to my physical, mental as well as spiritual needs also makes me happy, but they are harder to achieve on a daily basis without conscious effort. Happiness is complex, happiness is fleeting, happiness is not always better than unhappiness. What's the point, then? I think the pursuit of happiness means different things for different people, and if trying to be happy makes you unhappy, then you better go after "what feels right to you" instead of "what should make you happy". 

Don't pursue happiness, if it doesn't make you happy. 

Closer Now

Not there yet, but my dream room is coming together.

是归，是还

回到怡保的时候，已经是大年初二的傍晚。

老房子经过一番修葺，焕然一新，很是舒适。

才几个月不见，表弟们个个都长高、变声。

要不是我认得他们用的词汇，我可能分辨不出谁是谁。

一开始，我还担心长辈们又会对我问长问短。

显然我多虑了——除了简单的问候，我们聊其他东西。

有大表姐在，什么课题都可以变得好笑。 

连《白蛇传》这么凄美的故事，被大伙儿“旁白”，

差点儿变成笑剧，笑得我肚子疼。

要知道我的幽默和“串人”的功夫

都是和这班人相处磨练出来的！

久违的怡保咖啡，我来了！

热的、冷的（他们称之为“咖啡雪”），我都爱。

怡保的壁画越来越多了。

倘若它们泛滥，就算画得再美再创意，也不会突出。

 

香醇顺滑好口感，可是炼乳下得多，肚子有点怪怪的。

看到那一层白色的泡泡吗？

这就是“白咖啡”的特征之一。

我只叫它咖啡，加一个“白”字像是

直呼自己老朋友的全名

一样拗口。

就是这种味道和口感，让我念念不忘。

几件佐料，一碗河粉，便是佳肴。

把简单的事做到极致，试问能办到的有几个人？ 

在吉隆坡我绝不会买清汤河粉，因为在这里吃过好的，

不想破坏长久以来美好的回忆。
 

今年没去其他远房亲戚家拜年，因为有好几个老人家走了。

外婆逝世未满一年，我只带几件暗红的上衣，其余都是素色。

想她是当然的，至少现在能带着平常心面对。

这么多年来没去过的怡保景点，我们趁现在有兴致，走走看看。

郎山公园“假”得很美丽，瀑布一眼就知道是人造的，所以我没多加理会。

倒是有两大株牵牛花开得灿烂，赏心悦目。

 表弟们哪有闲情赏花，早已打打闹闹拉拉扯扯。

其中一位说他们玩得很“智障”。

虽然我不认同他的遣词，但我想：

难得找到和自己一样可以玩得很癫的人，

趁年轻应该多玩一些。 

今次的山城之旅，我比较懂得收拾行李。

带了一条小浴巾，在人多的屋内容易风干。

睡眠时间各不相同？没关系，有眼罩。

人声鼎沸睡不着，耳塞是我的好帮手。

最重要的准备，应该是调整心态。

能预料到的，我都放入我的行程计划里。

无法预料的，我只好随机应变。

就像我带一本书来解闷，有长辈说别人在赌钱，

我在这里看书。

天哪，表弟们打机打得那么大声，

应该比我更加打扰吧？ 

我只是说了句“没关系的”，然后继续埋头。

如果他还不放过我，那是他执着。

不必太认真——

明明知道人家的态度和语气是这样的，

何必把人家无心的话挂在心上，

又不是很有意思的春联。

入镇时，我们的意外收获。

这些由针车改装的水泥板桌子真有创意。

想起自己的卧房大改造，我笑了笑。

看来要多费一点心思了。

看到怡保变得越来越商业化，

越来越会包装自己，

心里不知什么滋味。

我们家钟爱红肉酸柚子，所以临走前买了一些。

其他地方找不到这么价格公道、好吃的了。

虽然这个春节有点平凡、寂寥，

但能和亲戚打牌看电视节目吹水，

很温馨轻松快乐。

年还没过完，可能还有惊喜呢！

Bathroom Makeover

The planning involved in giving our common bathroom a makeover was but a short and simple one. All I had to do was to find a storage solution to re-organise the various odds and ends. Prior to that, I had thoroughly scrubbed clean the tiled walls and floors, as well as washed the plastic racks that contained bottles of detergents. I had also consulted with my family members regarding shampoo, face wash, hair conditioner etc, so that I could estimate how many baskets to buy from IKEA, to replace the current rusty three-tiered rack.

It was a mad dash yesterday as it was a public holiday (again) - I resolved to go in and out quick to avoid the crowd and traffic. The shopping list I'd drawn up proved to be useful as I managed to get the things I wanted from the correct sections. Only the metal shelf gave me trouble. I literally went down all the aisles just to hunt for it, only to find it in the last aisle close to the counter.

Thoughts that occurred to me while I was assembling the items I bought from IKEA:

• What I envisioned to be a perfectly good solution might not be so in someone else's eyes. I opted for a metal shelving unit to be placed outside our bathroom, because it fits the available space there, provides easy access to things placed on it and won't suffer too much from the elements (sunlight and humidity). Aesthetics-wise, probably it could be a sore to the eye but that can be remedied by storing items in boxes/baskets instead of just putting things on it. Mum thought I was going to get a cabinet with doors. 
• Same thing with the shoe rack versus shoe cabinet issue. Seems like mum wants to hide things away and pretend they aren't there until we need them.
• Stick-on floor protectors came in handy! I just couldn't make the legs of the shelf stand equally on the floor, so I added height to one of the legs by attaching floor protectors to it. Wobbly no more!
• I've made so many trips to IKEA lately that I could recognise its plant pot and artificial greens in a Muji outlet I visited yesterday.
• Speaking of Muji, I'm quite impressed at their range of products (even more impressed at the price). Simple, minimalist, clean designs to complement functionality. 

Anyway, this is just a quick update on what I've been up to lately. I'll try to write about something else in the next post. Keyword: try. Haha.

 

Room Makeover: Stage 1

Yesterday I had to jostle for space with other shoppers at IKEA. It had to be done because I wouldn't be free on any other day. I should've checked the calendar when I was drawing up plans for refurbishing my room - didn't know yesterday and next Monday are public holidays that would pit me against other shoppers.

While the other shoppers were buzzing around in lazy circles around the various display rooms in IKEA, I made my way straight to where the self-service area was. With my shopping list thoroughly checked and updated over the week, I could just grab and pay as I was certain which items I wanted. There were some minor disappointments because the outlet I visited ran out of stock for some items and they didn't carry some other items. Most of the things had the same price as displayed on their website; only a couple of them were more expensive by about 10 ringgit.

The queue at noon when I joined it was crazy and barely moved. A good half-hour was spent standing and waiting, while in the background, probably as a way to allay frustration, melodic songs were played. I managed to get most of the furniture and storage boxes that I set out looking for. Oh well, I can always come back another day for less urgent items.

After a late lunch/early tea, I decided to take my time to have a look around the showrooms. Some rooms were the same as I visited them last, others were entirely new. I looked closely for items I missed the first time around and noted their article number so that I could find them easily later. 

Some thoughts that occurred to me while I was browsing:

• The rooms are too neat. Real rooms will have some signs of habitation, like a stray sock here or a dirty mug there. 
• Even if I were to replicate or at least mimic some of the room's style, it wouldn't last after a few weeks. It's only natural that things change from an orderly state to a disorderly one.
• I need to inject my personal style into my room. Otherwise it would be just another IKEA display.
• I need to learn more about gardening. Maybe I could try caring after some hard-to-kill indoor plants first. I read somewhere that certain types of plants are good air purifiers and sometimes they work as indicators of the room's toxicity. 
• Some pieces of furniture are just not worth the money and effort (for reasons too varied to enumerate here). Might as well stick with old furniture.
• Have to prepare for the eventuality of asking myself "now what?" Will I be satisfied if  I managed to carry out my plans? When all's been planned and done, then what?

By the time I got home, it was around evening. I quickly re-potted some plants, assembled a bedside table, attached a hanger for door and piled my possessions into storage boxes. When I was done, it turned out that I had a few extra boxes. I didn't make a drastic change to my room after all. It now looks a bit neater, mainly because my books/papers are hidden in nice-looking boxes. A harmonious co-existence of old and new is exactly what I'm aiming for.

Stage One of my room's "re-modelling" plan is complete. The time is not right yet for Stage Two, so I put a hold on it now and change my focus to helping my family cleaning/re-organising other rooms in our house. 

Spring Cleaning 2016

I'm happy to share that I have finished my room's spring cleaning (and now I can move on to other parts of our house). It was a daunting task made possible by setting small targets and adhering to deadlines. Now that I roughly know how many things I have and how much space they occupy, I can go look for storage solutions.

Since my last blog post, I dedicated almost every night to cleaning some part of my room. I'm usually exhausted after a long day of work, but the image of what my room will look like keeps me motivated. One night it could be the drawers in my wardrobe, the next night could be my overloaded bookshelf. I was aware of planning fallacy, so I tried not to be too greedy and merely set a small, manageable area for each night. For areas that required more attention and effort, I left them till I had more time, like today. This worked very well for me, and I am satisfied that the targets I set were achieved.

While cleaning my room I realised I kept many things that were of little practical utility, i.e., mementos. Going through my old clothes sent me hurtling down memory lane. It is simply unreal to be able to physically touch garments that I only knew I had worn in old pictures of my younger self. I never thought they still exist. I don't even remember wearing them!

Then there were the letters, holiday cards and journals. I sorted them by type and year, then put them away without even flipping them open. Handwritten words carry with them a certain brand of magic that only gets stronger with time. Best not to touch them, especially at night.

There are simply too many books and papers in my room that need to be organised. For the moment I have filed some of the papers by subject and stacked my novels according to size, but these are temporary arrangements (hopefully). I have to be more selective about the books I buy from now on. Not that I don't have that practice already. For the past few years, I tried to make it a point to purchase only books whose value won't decrease too much with time (books that are worth keeping/investing in). That should explain the bulk of English classics I read and reviewed in previous posts, haha.

Stationery and electronic devices were a piece of cake compared to everything else. I just had to group them by type and put them away in separate drawers for easy access. My room is also home to my family's curtains and bedclothes. They took a while to put in order as they come in sets. I grouped them by frequency of use. Those which have seen better days went up to higher cabinets and those which are often used stay in lower ones for accessibility. 

There are actually new tasks which cropped up during the week-long spring cleaning, so I wasn't wrong in predicting that this will be a long-term project. 

These days my daydreams were interspersed with thoughts of my room's new look. With only a rough idea of how it will be, I did my research on pieces of furniture and storage boxes that I'm interested in, as well as worked out particulars like which is more urgent, which can wait, which to get first, etc. During train rides to work or back home, I was often deep in thought, mentally manipulating the position of objects in my room and updating the plans for my room. Logistics and cost are very real issues to deal with, not to mention extraneous variables that might derail my plans... I shall do as much as I can, while I still have the motivation and optimism.

So far I've visited two value stores in search for some cheap trays and boxes that would serve my storage needs. Not everything has to be from IKEA, really, though I do wonder why there isn't a Malaysian equivalent of IKEA already. There are better alternatives - I just have to look. I'm really grateful that I have something to look forward to at the end of each work day. It gives me something tangible to work with, thus keeping my mind from excessively introspecting (a welcome relief!)

How I Found a Purpose through Pasta & Meatballs

It was during a simple lunch at IKEA when an innocuous thought crossed my mind. I should get a proper writing desk. I wonder whether the furniture retailer uses Scandinavian meals to lure unsuspecting customers into buying their products. It obviously worked on me. By the time I entered the showroom proper, I was already mentally drawing up a shopping list.

It had been quite a while since I came here. The last time I bought a table lamp to study for primary school's national examination. Oh, that reminds me, I need a lamp as well. Looking around, I could see the shoppers were mainly couples and families with young children, followed by oddballs like a lone man in boots measuring pieces of furniture using his own tape. I was probably one of the eccentric customers, too. If I remember correctly, I tried almost all sofas and lounge chairs in the Living Room section. The ones I took a liking to were from a brand called Kivik because they were solidly built yet comfortable and provided good lumbar support. Maybe one day, one day, maybe...

In those maze-like series of exhibition rooms, I learned that IKEA plays around with lighting, colour and space, making us believe they sell a wide range of wares. Excellent tricks on the eye, really. Place a room divider here, dim the lights over there, fit a chair with different cushions and covers, vary the colours to build a mood, etc. The same piece of furniture can appear in different places, say, in the bedroom and the kitchen - the key is to make it blend in. When I came upon a simple white table with metal cylindrical legs, I decided after a few minutes of mental calculations that it isn't out of place with my room's existing furniture. I was so close to buying it and only put a hold on the idea after persuading myself that I needed to check the dimensions to see whether it could fit into my room. 

While I was at it, I checked out the bookcases and shelves. I'm in need of storage solutions for my growing library of books. Should I get a tall and narrow bookcase, or a tall and wide one? Should I go for a rack and storage boxes? Again, I realised that I needed more information and more deliberations before actually committing to any purchasing decisions, so I contented myself with taking a few brochures and snapping a few pictures.

The work lamp I found is unassuming, with a large nickel-plated steel base matched with an upside-down-bowl-like shade. Its arm is adjustable, as is the shade. It resembles my old lamp of 11 years but with less screws, so here's to hoping that it will not rust and stoop low like the other one did.

~.~.~.~.~.~

I've given much thought to the idea of buying new furniture. Here's a list of questions that I came up with:

• Is it necessary to buy new furniture?
• What are you going to do with the old furniture?
• What are your needs?
• How much space (length, width, height) do you need for the new furniture?
• Does the new furniture need to fit in with existing ones? Are you changing your entire look?
• What is your budget?
• Does the new furniture need assembly? If yes, do you have the know-how to do it?
• Is the new furniture a permanent fixture? Do you have any plans of moving it around?
• Is the new furniture durable? How many years can it last? 
• Is the new furniture environmental-friendly? Can it be recycled if you no longer uses it?
• Is the new furniture adaptable to different needs? Can it be modified to serve another purpose, if such a need arises?
• What is the maximum weight that can be placed on the furniture?
• Do you need to clean your furniture? What kind of cleaning materials are needed?

~.~.~.~.~.~

I've also drawn up a to-do list to give my room a make-over, and so far I completed a few tasks. I know it will be a long-term effort and involves many fine details, which frankly speaking, I look forward to taking care of. My daydreaming powers are put to good use at last, and I even feel energetic to clean my room at night after a long day at work. Found a purpose, an anchor. 

In the years past, I cleaned my room and organised my books/papers after each school year or each semester. It gave me a sense of feeling whole, like making my life story coherent. Sometimes I moved around my table or shelf to switch things up, get a new perspective. After secondary school, the books and papers piled up, new possessions mingled with the old, things were out of order. I just didn't have the resolution to go through the belongings I accumulated over the years in university. I dared not touch some things and I avoided opening certain drawers altogether, because of what? I can't tell for sure. 

Now, it's time. 

Time to bid goodbye to the ghosts of my past.

Time to plan for the future.

Time to live. Not just to survive, but to thrive.

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.

― Eric Roth, screenplay for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

 

Last Weekend, 2015

Last Thursday. My eyes roamed over the array of exorbitant cakes, as if by appearance alone I could decide which to purchase. I skipped those which contained caffeine and alcohol. Those that were too sweet or too creamy were out too. In the end there remained three to five choices, and I went with the red velvet as well as chocolate mousse, since they were so well liked by other customers that there were only few slices of them left.

On my train ride home, I made a phone reservation at a buffet restaurant, while keeping an eye on the box of cakes balanced on my knees. I booked the 27th, because I was certain that Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day would be crazy full of people. I had tried for weeks to plan a nice birthday treat for my mum, or at least get a tasteful gift for her, but so far I'd failed to come up with anything that would outdo my previous year's efforts. When my colleagues found out last Thursday was my mum's birthday and asked me what celebrations I might have in store, I wasn't hiding anything from them when I shrugged my shoulders. I decided to just think on my feet, once I stepped out of the office.

By the time I joined my family at a Chinese diner instead of the Japanese eatery they planned to go, I had stowed away the cakes in our fridge, confirmed the buffet reservation and refuelled my car. I mentioned the buffet, but not the cakes, which I told my sister was a surprise. My mum had been dropping hints that she desired to try out the buffet place, but there wasn't any follow up action until now. I was so afraid that they had other plans, and sure enough, they did. Some minor tweaks in our schedules sufficed, and we were good to go.

After dinner my sisters intended to have a walk in the park with mum, to enjoy the trees decked in Christmas lights. It was no ordinary park, and it was quite some distance away, but I readily agreed. How strange it is that sometimes, spur of the moment decisions turn out to be good. We took some photographs, mainly "wefie"s, with a stunning backdrop of artificially illuminated trees.

Just when mum thought she could retire for the night after getting back home, I brought out the two slices of cakes. Surprise, surprise! I think mum was more happy than surprised, judging by the look on her face. "Oh, you didn't have to," she said, "you've already booked the buffet!" In truth, it had been a tough year, and I would like to do right by her, by my family. A nice buffet would be a neat ending to this roller-coaster year 2015.

Spend your money on the things money can buy. Spend your time on the things money can’t buy.

― Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Last Friday. It was nice to literally take a back seat, for a change. Dad drove us to a remote fishing village for a sumptuous seafood lunch. We'd been to the area a few times before and by now, we were quite at home with the scenery, the people and the food. However, I was taken aback by the sight of newly built rows of shops and dark grey tarred roads here. Imagine the flux of emotions for city dwellers like us who come all the way here to experience a change of view, only to find more of the same old concrete, brick and glass. Is it too soon to say that simple village life could be a thing of the past?

 

I fell into a deep food coma induced by the late afternoon lunch and was lulled into sleep by the steady motion of dad's car traversing quiet paths and later, ruler-straight highways. Joy is having an afternoon nap after being denied of one for far too long. Oh the weather outside was frightful, with strong winds blowing and merciless rain lashing against the car, but the fire in our bellies was so delightful. Let it rain! Let it rain! Let it rain! (Christmas, Malaysian-style, haha)

Last Saturday. It is both a blessing and a curse to work within the city's golden triangle. Road closures, street demonstrations and traffic congestion are common enough that I have become quite unfazed when I encounter them. On the other hand, it is a haven for food and shopping. My colleagues and I were in for a treat on the night of Boxing Day, though we didn't know what to expect.

Some of us got off work earlier to take up our reserved table at a fancy restaurant not far from our offices. It was a long day and truth be told, I was exhausted and famished by the time we were seated. The menu was either printed or photocopied on cheap, A5-sized papers with no pictures other than those depicting the restaurant's name/theme in caricatures. I hope that means they change their menu often.

The dinner would be paid for by our boss, and I was having a hard time deciding on what to order. After long, thoughtful considerations about how my choices would reflect my character, I decided on a simple steak and fries within the not-so-expensive-but-not-so-cheap category and declined beverage, since tap water was provided on the house.

Each of us received a gift from the management of our company. Boss egged us on to open our presents since it was Boxing Day, but none of us did (I liked the wrapping too much to open it so soon). Most of my colleagues ordered alcoholic drinks, and seeing that I sat in a corner without any beverage in hand, my boss kindly asked whether I wanted a drink. I gave in and settled on a lemonade soda.

Later, when I was asked again, a pear cider made its way to me. It was nothing I couldn't handle, and it wasn't my first time drinking. "Ave Maria" sung by a strong, rich voice was gently playing in the background. Oh the irony! Imagine the look on my colleagues' faces when I finished the cider, sip by slow sip as our conversations ebbed and flowed. Someone joked that I look the same, whether drunk or sober. Gosh, it was just a cider. I wasn't wasted at all - my thoughts and emotions were still normal. Till this day I haven't even seen myself in an inebriated state, so I have no idea what I would look like in that condition.

Dinner and gifts notwithstanding, our boss drove each of us home. The fact that he drunk only lemonade and iced lemon tea didn't escape me; I merely thought it was because of his health.

Last Sunday. Off we went, with me as the driver, to the buffet place which all of us were looking forward to visting. Smooth traffic all the way there (as well as back) and plenty of parking spots available ― imagine my incredulity. We arrived ahead of time, so we split up and whiled away the hour exploring the shopping mall, wherein the buffet place was located, on our own.

I decided to push my luck and dropped by Chatime to see whether this outlet served Choc Peppermint Smootea. After being disappointed by three other outlets, it seemed that today was my lucky day. The drink was pricey, I admit, but the chunky chocolate and cool refreshing peppermint put me on cloud nine. I got more than I paid for: a gratification and a closure to a long search for that elusive drink.

The buffet lunch was a bit of a letdown, but I kept those feelings to myself and allowed my family to define their own experiences, untainted by my words. We were tucked away in a quiet corner, away from the "main action", so to speak. There were fewer dishes than I expected, and no green tea ice cream in sight. Put those aside, it was an "okay" experience for me. I tried some raw fish and sea creatures whose names I don't remember now. Braised sea cucumber and "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" were delightful viands that brought cheer to my heart in this otherwise lacklustre experience.

 

 

My family seemed to have enjoyed the treat. Full bellies, happy faces and good memories further backed up in the form of photographs. We all ended up in yet another food coma which our siesta that afternoon did only little to relieve.