Chicken Soup for My friends

Herbal chicken soup $7, honey glazed chicken wings $3, super duper spicy sambal kang kong $3, 6 full tummies and warm chuckles -> priceless.

my simple happiness is to be able to cook as well as see, hear and feel that my guests have enjoyed the dinner. = )

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Taking the first step

Taking the first step is typically one of the most difficult part of almost any attempts or activities. Toddler taking its first step, kid taking his/her first dip in the pool, maiden open water dive, first business, first attempt to date, first kiss, first intimacy with your soulmate or even taking the first step to write a blog.

I believe all of us agree this daunting task of taking the first step requires great amount of courage. The cloud of uncertainty usually looms when you are about to take the intiative. It is very common for one to slip into a self-doubt mode where there will be an umpteen number of “what ifs” and “serkali” (a colloquial figurative term for “what if”) whiz past your mind. The outcome of these doubts is probably procrastination and most of time “forget about it, I can live without it”. Nevertheless, I must admit that there are also many successful examples that I have heard and experienced where the “serkalis” are miraculously cleared by words of encouragement and guidance by your buddies and mentors as well as by your very own confidence and character.

But I feel the most important lesson that I have learnt pertaining to “taking the first step” is recognizing, accepting and embracing the uncertainties and risks that comes with almost all new ventures. We are often tricked into believing that much of any venture is shaped by that first step we take. This probably explains why so much emphasis is placed on the first step.

Whether that very first step of your great adventure sets you on a sturdy path or leads you to depths of messy swamp or worse, quicksand that leads to destruction, the most important thing we have to learn is to appreciate our experience in our very own adventure.

While stepping into messy swamps and quicksand may undesirably create some negative and lasting repercussions, it is not the end of the world. We should see it as just a step for us to recalibrate ourselves to adapt to the new environment before we hit back on sturdy grounds again. Even a brief experience of the destructive quicksand is much better being immobilized at cross-junctions, unable to make any move out of fear and uncertainty.

I have taken my first step to start this blog about a week ago, how about you?

Train or bus

I believe everybody has, in one way or another, experienced or have heard of embarrassing moments. Simply googled on this topic and u have a list of embarrassing moments where u can have a good sadistic laugh at people’s misfortune.

I remembered vividly (3 years back) that I was completely drained after 2 sleepless nights, rushing to complete my final year project. After submitting my work, I was thinking of taking a bus back because I could catch some sleep during the journey.

However, I was also considering to take the MRT train (aka Mass Rapid Transit) so that I could reach home and head towards my bedroom as quickly as possible, fearing that I might just dropped unconscious while waiting for the bus.

As these thoughts continue to whiz across my mind, from far I saw a train approaching. I raised my hand to flag for it.

It just took me less than 2 seconds to realise that there are at least 8 pair of eyes staring at me. All of them looked bewildered.

I was speechless.

Miniskirts

Feeling utterly bored, I finally succumbed to the idea of tagging along with my neighbors to orchard road. It is almost a 45-minute bus ride to the shopping heaven. The entire journey was filled with lighthearted jokes and as predictable as it may seem to be, one of my neighbors remains the constant target of harassment and humor.
We alighted near "Far East shopping center" ( the name is a misnomer…. it is rather centrally located ) and briefly walked along orchard road. It was a bright humid sunny 12 30pm. The entire street was mosaicked with holding-hand couples, obvious tourist, colorful-haired punks and uniformed students. We homed into a shopping arcade and suddenly a lady in white miniskirt momentarily grabbed my attention. Pardon me….. my line of sight was at least locked for a couple of seconds before I heard someone’s giggle beside me. My neighbor shakes her head and let out a long sigh "Haiz……."
I think I blushed.
Paradoxically, this shopping trip turns out to be an enjoyable one.
On our way back, chauvinistically, my pal commented " ladies should wear skirts"……… for once, rarely, or rather, for the sake miniskirts,
I agree with him.

Taking things as-is and for granted

The long weekend has past so swiftly. I have not done much constructive things except visiting an orphanage last Friday. Spending time with kids can also generate a calming effect because I realise it temporarily took me out of this whimsy world.
Listening to their stories and what they have done for the past week, is something that you don’t get to hear often. (unless u have your own kids!!!). I was kinda kept "up-to-date" what the kids do and think nowadays as well as how they digress and fuss about friends and things they are told but are unwilling to do. I have realised that things that I have regarded as mundane and probably rockbottomly unimportant are so valued by these young ladies and gentlemen. To them, these are big time issues and its worthy fussing over it. Frankly, I find that amusing but at the same time I realise I have actually taken a lot of things as-is and for granted.
Take your time and talk to some young ladies and gentlemen…..who knows..... they might have much more wisdom to offer…. = )

Quiet

My goodness. It is going to be a very quiet night tonight. I am all alone in my apartment. I am still trying to get used to leaving away from my family.

Here I am sitting infront of my laptop listening to music mixed with an occassional relentless buzz from the KJE. I wonder it is going to be another sleepless night coz it's going to be too quiet.

I am trying very hard nowadays...it is getting harder and harder....to enjoy the calmness of an environment. Frankly, i freak out sometimes. I hope I know the reason why I am behaving like this for these recent couple of years. I used to like quietness a lot and being alone.

I briefly looked into my yellow netted laundry sack, there is only a piece of black addidas shirt. It reminds me immediately to bring in the clean ones left hanging in the yard. Immediately, I bring myself to haul those clean laundry back into my room. I hanged some, I folded some. It is a very simple, mundane job that i have to do every 2 weeks and I have faithfully follow this regime. Though, this task doesn't require much brains or brawns but strangely it calms me quite effectively.

I like cooking not only because I am good (I think it is ok to occasionally brag about myself in blogs...) but it is something that allows me to focus and remain calm. These chores have such incredible healing effects that they can dissipate all crazy thoughts that whiz through my head. I find this so strange...since these chores have such good effects on a person's mind and well being why mothers and women complain.

Maybe, the reason I can't cope with the quiet is because my mind is constantly in the state of chaos. I knew it may sound a bit oxymoronic but I think i am correct. My mind is chaotic 24/7 these recent years. I cannot focus as long as and as I much as I wanted it to be. It is very common for me nowadays to think of irrelevant stuffs when I am working or having conversation with my collegues and friends. I simply cannot tame this monkey from jumping all over the place between my ears.

So instead of shutting my windows tightly when i sleep, I left it slightly open so that my room is filled with the constant relentless buzz from the highway that probably cancel out the chaos and noise in my mind. I guess this brings about the quiet in me. I may sound a bit oxymoronic again.... pardon me ..

What is quiet then? noiseless, soundless? i believe it is more like a state of mind rather than the sense of hearing.