Chatty Lass

I know, this post is slightly late.

But, in my defence (a beloved line for lawyers and procrastinators alike), the first month of 2017 slipped through my fingers swifter than sand; the weekly travels were entirely to blame. Also, I began (but never finished) writing this entry in a strangely vacant airport last week while waiting to board the plane; surely, such a gallant attempt must be commended.

To make up for lost time, here are a few snapshots captured during the first month of 2017:

JAN 1ST, 2017 My bubba. This is the face of sheer bliss and utter contentment after a bath from Mumma.

JAN 7TH, 2017 Flew back to Penang and packed on the pretty for one of my dearest friends’ wedding. Pictured here with Cinderella.

JAN 12TH, 2017 Homemade lunch of lotus root soup with chickpeas. Comfort food to ameliorate the massive headache I woke up with, due to the sweeping haze over KL.

JAN 14TH, 2017 (AM) Childhood friends at our childhood friend’s wedding. T’was a beautiful morning in church that day.

JAN 14TH, 2017 (PM) Zoomed off for tea with my godbrother, forewent the event I was slated for, and tea segued into dinner.

JAN 19TH, 2017 View from my window seat, right after take-off. That day, I learned that Usain Bolt has got nothing on me. Read the full story *here*.

JAN 20TH, 2017 Been awhile since I last hit the stage. Fun night performing at my childhood friend's reception in Penang.

JAN 27TH, 2017 (AM) These are a few of my favourite things... Simple, homemade reunion lunch with my family.

JAN 27TH, 2017 (PM) Deviated from the ushe and had Japanese for our reunion dinner with my grandaunt and her family.

JAN 28TH, 2017 First day of the Lunar New Year. Pineapple tarts, I'll have you know, I am not immune to your charms.

JAN 29TH, 2017 My happy place - A glass of juice (laying off alcohol for a little bit), gentle afternoon breeze with rays of sunshine slipping through the leaves, placid waters and intelligent conversation.

1. Of being a health nut and a consumer of hamster food (read on to find out about this...)

Last week, over drinks and eardrum-splitting music, a friend asked about my dietary choices and the spark that ignited this health campaign.

I told her it had nothing to do with losing weight and everything to do with being healthy. (Okay, it's a teensy-tiny bit about losing weight.)

When I turned 25, I had a moment of clarity and realized that this is MY body, the one I am going to be with for the rest of my life. The realization dawned that if I wasn't going to be the one who takes responsibility for it, nobody else will and I do not want to pay for my negligence of it later on in life.

So, I made a calculated decision to deliberately cut down on items which are not doing any favors to my body, such as carbs, sugar, processed food, fast food and fried stuff. Instead, I supplemented my daily intake with huge portions of vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. My dear mother referred to my muesli mix as hamster food. (Sugarpop's - my deceased hamster - food never looked as colorful.)

Jokes aside, I see it as a matured decision. Simply because IMO, it takes an adult to be able to take on the weight (pun intended) of making wise and healthy choices. It's easy to slip up and eat whatever you want, citing that "you only live once, so food enjoyment should be maximized", etc…

However, when your health spirals down into an abyss and you have to be in and out of the hospital or sign up for a major surgery due to your carefree eating habits, the people who will be most affected are those who are closest to you. That, to me, is unfair because it is something which could have been avoided or controlled.



2. Made cheesy baked salmon for one of my weekday lunches and it was AMAZEBALLS.

Saturday (May 9th, 2015)

Noon: A bout of illness, busy schedules and bad timing were the causes for this belated birthday celebration.

A sign of growing up - Planning way in advance for any social excursions or meet-ups. It is one of my realizations, after turning 26. No more random Friday afternoon texts to hang out. Most of the time, social gatherings are scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

We (Annie and I) managed to finally align our timing two weeks before this luncheon eventuated and decided on Heaven Gate just a day before.

The both of us loved the restaurant's posh interior, inviting ambience and sumptuous food. Placing a reservation a day or two before is highly recommended as we saw walk-in patrons being turned down several times when we were there.




Soup - Forest Wild Mushroom Soup with Portobello dumpling.

Churros, with salted caramel and Nutella as dipping sauces.

Monday (May 4th, 2015)

AM: Public holiday, how I fervently adore thee…

PM: Assam fish curry by Ma for dinner. Self-restraint (to hold off the urge to pack on carbs) is mandatory on nights like this.





Tuesday (May 5th, 2015)

AM: Played hard ball with insomnia till 1:30am and promptly won. The prize? 5 hours of sleep.

A belated birthday present from Strawberry Shortcake that morning - A pillow-with-a-blankie in the form of an adorable cartoon character, perfect for a quick shut-eye during lunch time.



Noon: Lunch plate - Garlic chicken breast with mash and boiled broccoli.





Wednesday (May 6th, 2015)

AM: Work.

Noon: Lunch plate - Skinny Shepherd's Pie.





Thursday (May 7th, 2015)

AM: Breakfast - Mango Chia Pudding with Almond Nibs.




PM: After long last, I decided to get on the Carousell bandwagon and auction off some of my stuff there.

Over time, I've amounted quite a treasure chest… filled with face and body products, clothes which I'm unable to wear anymore after my weight loss and a collection of books; all of which I hope will be put to good use by their new owners. Check out my little cove here: www.carousell.com/chattylass.

The parentals suggested that our family should take a relaxing drive to my mum's hometown for the Labour Day holiday. So, I freed up my schedule to be on this road trip.

Leisurely drive, scenic view, fabulous food and a day's peep into the life of Arcadian simplicity on the First of May. It was a rather terrific way to kickoff a new month.

Here are some of the snapshots that I've gathered throughout the road trip (all pictures were shot and edited with Aurelia Bea):

First stop - Bedong.

Just in time for lunch.

House specialty - Mantou (Chinese steamed bun) stuffed with vegetable fritters, which were coated with homemade sauce.

Fluffy-crispy buns of deliciousness.

Tanjung Dawai.

I stood and breathed in the evening, bathed in shades of amber and thistle. It was utterly breathtaking.

Dinner - Catfish Curry.

Dinner - Mantis Shrimp, crusted with Salted Egg Yolk. Totally OD-ed on this.

Kam Heong Prawns.