Reading three books....at the one time

When bored, I recommend a quick trip to the nearest mall, whereby upon reaching destination you take a deep breath in and allow yourself the joy of both window shopping as well as actually spending an obscene amount of money. ( Preferably other people's ) Of course what is also high on the list of "how to enjoy self" is a visit to the bookstore. Second-hand bookstores are preferred, failing which TIME, KINOKUNIYA or MPH would substitute just as well and if absolutely desperate the local newsagent would be able to provide some trashy magazines to entertain self.

Two months back, I found a wonderful way to entertain self by reading two books within the same space of time. Last week, I've stretched myself to three books and they are....

1. A place called here. By Cecelia Ahern
2. The Yummy Mummies
3. Fanny and the monsters. By Penelope Lively.

It's all a little muddled and I especially enjoy reintroducing self to the respective characters in each book. Better than sudoku.

Do you have green fingers?

Cameron Highlands is located 150km north of Kuala Lumpur. It is named after a British surveyor,William Cameron who discovered this place during a mapping expedition in 1885. It is Malaysia's largest tea-producing area.

This picture is an old picture. I don't mean ancient-old but probably about 3 years old. Taken during my first-ever trip to Cameron Highlands. For Malaysians, the cooler climate where the temperature never rises above 25 degrees is too much to resist. And so, despite the winding journey up ....Cameron Highlands will remain a a popular holiday spot.

Amanda Brookfield

The Simple Rules of Love. A beautifully written and heart-warming book.Imagine the rush of joy when you start reading a book, only to find the words describing things and allowing you to imagine and get absorb with the characters. Brookfield has this uncanny ability to keep you interested. I've only just finished this book and already I'm sorry I don't have a replacement. Such emptiness. A short trip to the bookstore tomorrow after work...definitely.

Thursday already?

Char Kuey Teow! The best ones are sold by hawkers at the road-side-stalls. They are a dying breed. If you're one of those namby-pamby ones with delicate stomachs but still insist on a good char kuey teow, I can recommended two places. the first ( nearer home ) is this Indonesian restaurant at Hartamas Shopping center. The second is at this nyonya restaurant ( its all the RAGE now ...but less fashionable 20 years ago ) Ah tuan Ee either at Berjaya Times Square or at the Curve.

This Char Kuey Teow was yummy. And I ate it at the side of the road with no immediate tummy-complications. So Live dangerously and you'ld be amazed by the good food out there. Its yours for the taking.

Oyster omelet

This is known as oh chien. ( It's hokkien for fried oyster ...I'm sure of it ) I'm not sure how or where it originated from but its something which tastes heavenly and depending on where you eat it...may cost an arm. ( your left one only ) It has to be teamed with the correct chilli sauce. Something which is garlicky. I'm going to stop here and look for decent food for dinner.

How to be a writer...

I suppose, you'ld have to write quite a bit before you get anything worth shouting about. Its a little bit like riding a bicycle, you have to persevere until by sheer determination you actually hang on. ( minus the trainer wheelies I mean ) When I learnt how to cycle, I wore my shoes throughout the process. But in this case of writing...I'll take my chances and do it bare-footed and dressed down.

And so here I am..writing about food. Only because I obscess over it quite a bit and it's always pleasant to brag about what you've eaten. This is crabs in coconut milk.

Is this worth the money?

Jeffrey Archer was born in England in 1940 and he grew up in Somerset. He became the 4th youngest member of the house of commons at the age of 29. His first novel "not a penny more, not a penny less" was inspired by his own misfortunes at that time. Interestingly, he studied PE and represented Britain as a sprinter before becoming famous as a writer.

He is however more famous for having spent time in jail. This is his second novel since being released. False Impression was a fast and furious read. I wonder whether this new book is worth 90 ringgit......

Balik Kampung

Two evenings back, after a long day at work, I had the misfortune of being caught literally off guard and spent two and a half long hours in the car negotiating my way back home. I arrived home with two numb toes, a significantly flattened left bum and a crabby mood. Happy holidays!!

Deepavali

Once again, we're right smack in the midst of the holiday mood. Malaysia has the most public holidays. Or at least it feels like it sometimes. We're celebrating Deepavali and Raya Puasa all in the one. The festival of lights is celebrated by Hindus...it starts with the ganga snanam, a cleansing ritual. A visit to the temple follows....with ceremonial rites and prayers to mark the auspicious day. The festival of light brings hope..for a better world and a better life. Happy Deepavali:)

What I'm reading...

This is an everyday tale of rich people. Enjoyable. At Page 53....keep you posted once I finish this book.

Grey's anatomy

I've been glued to the pc...since purchasing the entire season two of Grey's Anatomy. Woohooo,
okay before you people think it's the Mcdreamy pull, it isn't. Althought Demsy is really a dream isn't he? It airs on NTV7 or something every Monday. But I'm too impatient to wait weekly for each episode. As a result, I've completed the entire viewing and now feel.....like I should really get a life:)

Take a PCM and sleep it off

Health is wealth. Following a bout of food poisoning ( chicken foldover to be avoided for a long long time to come ) I have found self weak and listless. Of course it doesn't help when you have to also THINK and write string of words convincing self and others you actually know what you're babbling about.

I'm a firm believer in avoiding medicine when ill. Unless of course you're a patient in which case you are to follow the doctor's order to the letter. Because they've studied long and hard hours to earn the power to do just that.