I don’t forget things easily. Apart from remembering bad and nasty things that had happened to me throughout the years, I also have the ability to remember sweet wonderful things…things that happened when I was an innocent little girl who was loved and protected by her loving family.
Things like this. Fish satay or locally known in Malaysia as ‘satay ikan’. Fish satay is a local street-snack made from fluffy fish ball. This snack was the first after-school snack that I bought with my first pocket-money. I was in standard 1 when I first bought this snack. My parents used to give me RM1 as my pocket-money and every day when the school is out, I will spend RM0.20 on the fish satay. Back then it only costs RM0.10 per stick, and one was never enough for me.
It is slightly grilled over flamed charcoal upon order.
And dipped into a special, one of a kind gooey sweet and spicy sauce before being served.
The delicious snack is meant to be eaten immediately or on the go. It’s a real comfort food, in my humble opinion, and I couldn’t help but grab some when I saw it yesterday. It cost me Rm0.20 per stick, a 100% more than what it used to be.
It may not taste the same as the ones I used to have after school when I was a kid, but it does gives me comfort and good feelings, something that I don’t really get to feel often these days.
So…do you remember any comfort food that you used to have back then? Is it something like this or it’s something much more gourmet and luxurious? I know some people don’t really do cheap street food as their comfort food, especially the spoiled rotten kids these days…who are often treated to expensive desserts and whatnot after school by their parents, but heck… such comfort food is really good for me.
Cleffairy: Gone are the good old days where everything was easy, simple and cheap.
“Once upon a time, there lived a princess who lived with an evil psychopath stepmother who is jealous with her beauty and wants her dead. The evil queen sent her away into the woods to be killed by a hunter, but taking pity on the beautiful young princess, he lets her off the hook instead and told her to run away as far as she could and never comes back. The princess was completely horrified, of course and runs away as far as she could into the woods and found another place to live in over there. She shared the house with seven weird men.”
Are you familiar with this story? I’m sure you are familiar with this story. The story is my version of ‘Snow White and The Seven Dwarves’. It is a pretty famous fairy tale and I bet you’ve heard it at least once as a child.
When I was younger, I felt nothing but sheer amazement with Snow White, to be able to live with seven weird men, but as an adult, I feel that the story is somewhat horrifying. I mean…hey, just imagine living together with seven housemates who is your opposite gender. Imagine the lack of privacy and not to mention, how stuffy the house can be.
A home is supposed to be a sanctuary. It is supposed to be secure a sanctuary where you can retreat to. Not a place you have to share with a couple of weird men who won’t do the dishes or is reluctant to do any household chore.
As a child, I always imagined myself living in an extravagant castle brimming with priceless antiques or a cosy cottage nestled by the seaside, but as time goes by and I grew older, reality hits and I was made to realize how difficult it is to obtain my home, much less something matching those of my childhood daydreams.
But lucky me, in recognition of all these long-forgotten desires, iProperty, a well-known property listing website in Malaysia has launched the Happily Ever After Home campaign where you can win RM10,000 and more. Interested individuals are invited to submit their details via Facebook and answer a simple question.
Aptly named the Happily Ever After Home Campaign, iProperty.com Malaysia has launched the Happily Ever After Home campaign, where interested individuals are invited to submit their details via Facebook and answer a simple question.
To increase the chances of winning, participants can spin their own versions of four selected fairy tales that entertained them as children. These fairy tales, which iProperty.com Malaysia has added a modern twist to, are Hensem & Gatal, Rafunzel, Red Riding in da Hood and Jack & the Kacang Panjang.
Participate and stand a chance to win up to RM10,000, at https://www.iproperty.com.my/contest
The one to emerge triumphant in the end will ride off into the sunset with RM10,000 to fund their own happily ever after home. A total of 10 Apple TVs are also available as prizes; after all, nothing says ‘luxury’ quite like a nifty gadget that allows you to easily get your favourite shows and movies from the Internet.
The Happily Ever After Home campaign is open to all Malaysians above the age of 18. Entries must be submitted no later than 12am on 21st June 2013 and winners will be shortlisted based on the number of likes. A total of 20 contestants with the most likes will then be selected before the winning entries are chosen, which will be based on the creativity of the story they create.
NTV7’s Bella program is hosting a royal baby shower this Sunday in honour of “Will and Kate”‘s impending bub! A free event, you’ll eat gorgeous food, delicious drinks, also you won’t go home empty handed- you’ll be showered with wonderful goodies and hear great speakers to help prepare you for your birth!
They’re wanting as many pregnant mothers as possible to set a Malaysian Book of Records record. We’re giving a gentle birthing talk as well so good opportunity to listen and learn!
I’ve been really, really busy. I don’t even have time for myself, what more to go around blog hopping and leave comments, and for that, I apologize, especially to STP and Smallkucing who never failed to drop by whenever my blog is updated. To save time…I only blog via mobile these days. It’s faster and much more convenient, and now school holiday has started again, I really do hope I’d be more privilege to do the things that I want to do. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I really, really cooked for my family. And last Sunday, the mood strike and I thought that it would be nice if I make some Sunday roast. I always enjoy having a sit down meal with my family. It’s a pleasure you can’t compare with anything else. It’s really too bad that a sit down meal together is not something we can always afford due to time restriction and hectic schedule and more often than not, a quickie meal over work is much more convenient.
I made some Cajun roasted chicken last Sunday to go with a simple side of mashed potatoes with gravy and corn on cobs. Served it to the boys for lunch and dinner. Nothing really gourmet and to shout about, but it’s one of the most satisfying and homey meal I had for a long time. And the best part? There’s enough leftovers to be used for the next few days. There’s still plenty of breast meat and corns left from the roast and I thought that perhaps I could make some frittata and chicken sandwich from the leftover meat and some chicken soup base with the carcass. 😀
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Cleffairy: Sunday roast does make sense cuz it brings the family together and you will have leftovers afterwards. It’s just too bad that I don’t get to do this often the way my late grandma usually does back then.
How did you spend your Mother’s Day? I bet you ladies had a blast shaking your legs around while your men and your kids pamper you throughout the day. Well, good for you. Mine was nothing special. Never was and probably never will be. My kid practically lives in his own world while his father…well…his father is not my son, so not obligated to celebrate with me.
Anyway, as I said nothing special went on last Sunday, except the Domesticated Goddess in me was practically screaming and when I saw this self-service laundry shop offering free laundry, I thought I’ll just lug all my dirty clothes of over there and have them washed.
Went there with a friend and her boyfriend. We were actually quite excited about the offer and looking forward to wash all of our soiled clothes. My friend actually brought all her dirty comforters to wash too.
But when we’re ready to unload all of our dirty laundry into the washing machine, I noticed that we still need to insert coins into the slot despite of their ‘Wash Free on Mother’s Day offer’. I was flabbergasted cuz it’s supposed to be FREE. Asked the person in charge over there and he jolly well told me that the free wash is just until 2pm, and since my friend and I went there at 6pm, there will be no free wash for us.
When asked why we have to pay for it when the banner that was hung outside says there is free wash on mother’s day, the person in charged pointed to this copy of an announcement that they stick in a small corner of the shop. I wasn’t very happy about it. In fact, I feel cheated! Who wouldn’t? They placed the goddamn thing in a small corner of the room where people would most probably overlook and most will only look at the colourful banner outside and simply assume that the free offer is for 24hours . Damn it. This is pretty much misleading and I bet this shop made quite a profit that day!
I was really furious cuz I brought alot of dirty laundry with me and so does my friend. We expected a free service but ended up paying a hefty sum instead! I was really unhappy and I thought that if the shop really wanted to offer a free service, they ought to have written the timing and whatnot on the freaking banner! This is clearly cheating the consumers and obviously manipulating people into paying…cuz rationally, who would wanna lug around their dirty laundries? Most would just have it washed the clothes there, even if they have to pay for it…like my friend and I did.
I wasn’t happy. I was furious, in fact, but the sulking did not go long, I suppose…as my friend treated me to dinner afterwards. Tsk. I have to say, it’s pretty easy to make me happy. Just feed me and I’ll be all smiles.
Cleffairy: Don’t complain if your Mother’s Day did not go as you expected. At least you did not end up being bored to tears and calling up your friend to do laundry with you only to have to pay a hefty sum for it.
I haven’t been talking about politics for quite some time now, have I? Well, somehow I couldn’t really give a damn anymore cuz no matter what I say will not change a thing about Malaysian politics, but after all being said and done yesterday during the 13th general election in Malaysia, I feel that somehow, the politics in Malaysia is like being married to an abusive husband.
He treats you bad but you still have compassion for him because the relationship between both of you have been so long and you got too much to think about to consider divorce. You’re afraid to let go. You’re afraid to get out of your comfort zone that is no longer a comfort zone.
But when you couldn’t take all the abuse anymore and finally come to your senses and wants to come out from the abusive relationship, you’ll find it difficult because he will promise you that he will change, buys you a lot of wonderful gifts, gives you money, assure you that he will give you love and security. Sweet talk to you and then coax you into submission, expecting you to go along with whatever thing that he wants you to do.
But when you refuses, he will coerce you, threaten you, lock you up and have you beaten badly, even. So…what do you do when you’re trapped in such a relationship? It’s kinda hard to say, but all you ought to know that the abusive relationship cannot go on and on forever. It got to stop somewhere, and that somewhere is not backing down, even if your back is facing the cliff. One ought to have courage to walk away from an abusive relationship, even if it means walking into a future of uncertainty. Better the uncertainties than being continuously used and abused in the worst ways possible.
Cleffairy: Will we ever be out of an abusive relationship? I have no idea.
Truth be told. I’m never quite an indoor person. I’m quite an adventurous person, even as a child and I love outdoor activities. When I was a child, I spent most of my time outdoors and my parents often took me and my sister for picnic and such during the weekend. And I unashamedly joined boys from my class back in school every evening to play football too back then.
But unfortunately for me, after having family of my own, I got stuck at home. I stopped being active. I blame that on technology and the Internet and also the idiot box. They kinda keep you grounded at home in a rather effective manner, I must say.
And not to mention the lack of adult companionship due to everyone’s hectic schedule. Nobody have time for each other anymore and R&R is not exactly something that fits the schedule. 🙁 I have nobody to blame on that situation, though, as I have yet to get used to bringing my son around on my own when my husband is at work. But trust me, that’s something I’m working on to amend cuz despite of other people’s opinion, I think it’s really a tragic way of growing up, to be deprived of the beautiful world out there.
But then again I’m happy to say that once in a blue moon, God will take pity on us and we’ll have some good excuse to enjoy the beautiful outdoor with our little family. Quite some time ago, we participated in an event hosted by Expatriate Lifestyle in KLPAC, Sentul. A Teddy Bear picnic; where you’re supposed to bring your favourite Teddies with you for a lovely picnic. The purpose of the event was not only for us to enjoy our time with our respective families, but also to raise funds in the name of arts too. 😀
It’s certainly a happy and relaxing occasion for me. Went there with my family and the weather that afternoon was favourable. It was not hot and rather shady. Perfect for an afternoon picnic with family and friends.
The family friendly and carnival-like atmosphere was something my boy and I enjoyed.
And I bet the Teddies enjoyed the picnic too. 😀
My boy gets to go on this for a while despite of the crazy crowd, and he was pretty ecstatic about it.
Spotted a clown performing his hula hoop dance during the picnic, and his antics made us laugh.
And what’s a carnival without games and pressies to be won? My boy won one of the toy cars on display and he was so happy about it! 😀
I used to eat cotton candies when I was a young kid, and glad to see that it still exists and yet to be banned worldwide for its notorious reputation of giving cavities to adults and young children alike.
My food during the picnic. 😀 Some sandwiches, pastries, cakes, pastas, salad and apples.
Refreshing salad
Comforting chicken lasagna to fill up the tummy after fooling around with those fund-raising games.
Being a special need child, my boy is not particularly good at socializing, but I was really surprised that he requested to participate in the Teddy bear dance and the teddy bear parade. Hmmm… I suppose the positive environment where nobody tells him ‘NO’ affects him in a positive way? To be honest, I think the expatriates are much more open minded, understanding of his disorder than the obnoxious locals.
I wonder if that contributes to my son’s sudden willingness to participate in the fun activities? Well, I have no idea, but I was really glad that he wanted to join in. It’s a refreshing change to see him wanting to join in the crowd, really!
Anyway, here’s ending this happy post with a Teddy Bear dance. 😀
Cleffairy: Work and nonsense gadgets will always be there, but time will always slip through the fingers, and by the time I’ve realized it, he’s all grown up. 🙁 We all should stop trying to just exists and starts to really live again. 😀 Do away with work and gadgets, it will do us good!
