Getting Panned

I've been called many things in my lifetime - fat, skinny, short, hairy, quiet, shy, stubborn, snob, pondan, gay, Thai, Malay, and even Japanese. Well I gained another two labels just today in a single sitting.

Fella #1: Don't you think he looks Malay?
Me: (Here we go again)
Fella #2: Not really. He looks more like... like... like a Filipino!
Me: (Pinoy boy! Whoo!)
Fella #3: No no no... more like Myanmarese!
Me: ...

Talk about Pan-Asian... I've gained eligibility for half the Orient and almost all of South East Asia by now.

Yeah, You PMS

As it turns out, a little PMS once in a while isn't a bad thing. Especially when you're having friends over for lunch and you don't wanna worry too much about preparing food (especially when you've got a messy apartment to worry about as well).

So here's an idea for an easy to make standalone meal - Processed Meat Spaghetti, which is what I called my spaghetti served with sausage, ham and bacon with spinach and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. Which pretty much describes every ingredient in there :P

First up, heat olive oil in a pot then brown chopped garlic and onions in it. Throw in sausages, ham and bacon (all sliced) and fry till just about cooked. Add sliced mushrooms and fry a little more.

Pour in tomato puree or diced tomatoes (I used both) and bring to a boil. Throw in baby spinach leaves then reduce heat till it's simmering slowly.

Stir in cream, season with herbs and chilli flakes to taste, return the sauce to a simmer, then turn off the fire.

Boil some spaghetti, dish spag onto plate, slop on the processed meat sauce, and there you go - a not entirely healthy yet well-rounded meal.

Bon apetit!

An Idle Idyll

There I was having a simple, non-fussy lunch of chap fan, and I looked about myself. At the airy roadside shack I was in. At the grass and trees that grew all around. And the folks sitting at the other tables with their small talk.

And I thought to myself: How idyllic this is, really. To be away from the hustle and bustle. Away from the incessant traffic. Away from all the drama.

It lasted for all of one minute, then I remembered how bored I am without overpriced cafes, international cuisine and a perpetual internet connection.

Quiet Now

Oh but it's been a hectic week. And more hectic weeks to come.

But all is quiet now... I'm home, with a little vodka, and strains of bossa nova.

Tonight, I'm taking time out for myself. Being by myself, I celebrate being myself.

Life's beautiful, after all.

Re:牛年

Reunion. That's what it's all about isn't it? Already, the lunar new year is drawing to a close, and somehow it feels to have gone by with the fleetness of a speeding bullock cart. Maybe it's been a quiet celebration this year. Not that it's a bad thing - managed to avoid the temple throngs and the terrible traffic.

But I'm glad the spirit of reunion is still unmistakably there. It was good being able to take time out and just reconnect. Over the past two weeks I've been home with my family, catching up with old friends, getting to know new faces... and even for those who couldn't be back, my thoughts were with them as well.

Because that's what reunion is - the reaffirmation of ties. Even if we aren't together, it is the union of our hearts that matter. And so, even if the coming year proves to be a challenging one as it quite certainly will be, it'll be alright - because we know we'll be there for each other.

For the last time this year, happy new year!

Much-a Emo?

Leave me out with the waste, this is not what I do
It's the wrong kind of place to be thinking of you
It's the wrong time for somebody new
It's a small crime and I've got no excuse
Damien Rice : 9 Crimes

You. What are you doing here? No, you shouldn't even be near.

You, who are cruel temptation of bittersweet temptation.
You are hot and you're cold, you're subtle and you're bold.
You have me caught, you intoxicate my thoughts.
You're so wrong for me yet how I long for thee.

You... you are... fried premium air-flown Japanese sweet potatoes with soft-serve ice cream, topped with green tea sauce and red beans.

You are Matcha Imo, at MOF.

OISHI!
*thumbs up*