Fabulous food and markets

Clockwise from left: Typical breakfast, crepe with sausage and potatoes, frog legs and smoked haddock.

French gastronomy in Provence is very distinctive from the rest of French cuisine. A Mediterranean influence brings recipes with hot spices and seafood. Because of the mountainous country, without the rich farmlands and herds of dairy cattle, Provencal cooking uses very little milk, and goat cheeses are predominant. Garlic, olive oil and olives are the leitmotif, and the abundant herbs are the spirit of Provencal recipes.

How can I resist the desserts? Fresh strawberries, creme brulee and fresh cream with brandied cherries.

From the flea markets in Paris to the farmers’ markets in the small villages of Luberon or Bonnieux, the bountiful display of summer fruits, cheese, wine and knick-knacks never fail to wow us.

Huge selection of olives.

Fresh seafood in Paris.

Wine at affordable prices!

Farmers' market in Gordes (above and below)

Dried lavender.

Cheese in all shapes and sizes.

Flea market finds in Paris

Let's hit the road!

The best way to explore a new place is on foot…not exactly your idea of traveling in style but that’s how we like it.

We stepped out of the Metro in Paris city with a heavy load on our backs and the sun in our eyes. The Sunday flea market along Port Royal Boulevard was still thronging with people in the late afternoon. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we joined the crowd in the revelry. A leisurely stroll, followed by Turkish dinner and we were ready to hit the sack.

Traveling to Provence took us all of Monday, on a train journey that afforded continuous views of the countryside. Only when we finally trudged into the beautiful Hotel Bastide de Gordes nestled in Luberon, ranked amongst “The Most Beautiful Villages in France”, we knew our vacation had truly begun.

The next three days were long days of cycling with some steep hills to climb but wonderful views to compensate. Strong winds, hot days and dramatic descents along winding mountain roads made some routes very challenging but it was worth every turn of the pedals. It was really sensational cycling. Here, nature is predominantly Mediterrranean. We traversed through vineyards, orchards with silver green olive trees, pine forests, quarries, gentle hills and mountain ranges, magnificent ravines and valleys, forts and unmade roads.

Traveling on a bike allowed us to stray from the main squares, discover cobbled alleyways and little passageways where the tourists fear to tread.

We stopped by farmers’ markets displaying abundant, tempting choice vegetables, fruits and local products, aromatic herbs and lavender to pick up lunch of freshly roasted chicken, baguette, olives, cheese, sausage, wine and fruits. We had picnic under the trees, sometimes catching a nap before moving on. Cherries were growing in abundance, we could reach up and pick some to quench our thirst.

After a long day of cycling, we treated ourselves to dinner at gourmet restaurants, sampling specialties from the Provencal menu. We sampled foie gras, escargots, bouillabaisse, frog legs, fresh trout, smoked salmon and haddock, duck, veal and lamb, cheese, crepes and French wine all week.

Our little French translation book came in really handy though the French we met were warm and friendly, greeting us “Bon jour’ everywhere we went. The fellow travelers we met along the way were too happy to share their wonderful experiences in the beautiful region.

Needless to say, our spirits were revived in the warm and lively atmosphere of Provence, where the lilting accent enchants the ear. We returned home with toned muscles and a golden tan, and wonderful memories that we will never forget.

Taking a break beneath the shady Plane trees at L'etang in Cucuron.
We stumbled upon a wine shop and farmers' market in Bonnieux!

Finally! At the peak after a tough uphill climb at Cucuron.

Looking down at the valley below....

Approaching our hotel at Auberge de Seguin: the inn below the cliffs.The beautiful garden in Hotel Bastide de Gordes in Luberon.

What a surprise to find not one, but two rainbows after evening showers in Gordes!

Flowers bloom profusely in the warm Mediterrranean climate.

Even the wild flowers are gorgeous!

Picturesque village of Gordes built in terraces.

Cycling through charming villages....

...and shops

Our hotel in Lourmarin.

Pottery in Ochre.

Good to be home!

After enduring an arduous check-in process at Paris, thanks to computer system breakdown resulting in a delayed flight to Doha, and another long flight back to Singapore, you can imagine how happy I am to be home!

What joy to see Rusty, the boys and mum when the cab pulled into the garage! YK has been sick the last 2 days and I guess my return makes him feel better already. I stepped into the kitchen and made them each a plate of spaghetti with shrimps for lunch. Cooking them their favourite food is a way of showing them my love.

I had a most wonderful week in France. Three full days of cycling through picturesque villages and another few days strolling in Paris really made the trip a most memorable one.

Now, it's time to unpack, sort out my photos and blog about the trip.

Watch this space!

Health Food for Dogs

The dogs are getting picky. Rusty refuses to eat his own dog food and prefers to hang around us, hoping we'd share ours with him.

So, I went to the Pet Store yesterday to find something yummy for the doggies. Finally, something good caught my eyes... Health Food for Dogs! That's what they need....a diet as healthy as ours.

Upon closer examination, I found it contains chicken Meal, Lamb Meal, Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice, White Rice, Chicken Fat, Omega 3, Flax Seed, Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin , Brewers Dried Yeast, Rosemary & Sage, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis & Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Bromelain & Papain, Vitamins & Chelated Minerals. Perfect for my pooches!

I brought the bag home merrily, feeling like I've done a really good deed.

Guess what happened when I poured some into the dog bowl this morning? Cookie sniffed at the little pellets and walked away. Rusty didn't even bother to look.

Sigh, what am I going to do with this bag of goodies?

Freewheeling in France

I’m about to start packing again. We’re traveling light this time, so I’m going to have a hard time choosing what to bring. We arrive in Paris on Sunday afternoon, spend the night in a hotel near the Latin Quarter, and catch the TGV train to Provence on Monday morning.

We’ll be heading to Gordes, a picturesque village where the castles and 12C buildings are still intact, to spend the night. Tuesday morning, we’ll don our helmet and cycle along quiet lanes along the Coulon valley to Goult, then up to Roussillon, stopping by to see the famous quarries of red ochre, the rock from which the houses of an unusual hilltop village are made.

Day 3 will find us descending from the Luberon to the scenic village of Lourmarin, passing rows of lavender, vineyards and flower-filled meadows along the way.

It’s a self-guided cycling trip, which means it’s just the two of us cycling along the quiet country roads, farm tracks and cycle routes, crossing fertile plains and lanes over low mountains with arid craggy scenery with long views. Oh, we’ll have plenty of time to unwind, taking in the unobstructed views, mingling with the local folks as we stop by the deli or marketplace.

We leave the idyllic Provencal country on Friday morning, to the sensual city of Marseille where I have a business meeting with a French organization. I hope I’ll be able to pull out a fresh set of clothing from my backpack!

We'll spend the afternoon in this wonderful port city before heading back to Paris for the weekend. You’ll find us wandering around the flea markets and exploring every nook and cranny of this romantic city. I can't wait to take in the smells of French coffee, croissants and luscious summer fruits. Most importantly, I pray for good weather.

Chalk and cheese

We have been best friends since we were 6, yet we’re as different as chalk and cheese. She’s petite and compact, while I am taller and rugged. She sports a short, neat bob while I like my hair long and flowing. She is mostly serious while I am always grinning (and goofy). An engineer by training, she’s systematic and methodological. I tend to be more expressive and spontaneous. She likes simple stylish outfits while I am a boho chick with loads of fanciful accessories. She wears court shoes while I am always running around in sandals.

She’s patient and optimistic while I can be angsty and hot-headed. She drives a solid Volvo sedan while I zip around in my black jeep. Even our tastes in food (and men) are different. At the buffet table, she heads straight for the spicy Asian delicacies while I’d go for succulent fruits, nuts, cheese and sweet desserts.

Our mothering styles are different too. When her two boys were growing up, she was always hovering behind them, guiding their every step. I let mine run around chasing butterflies while I kept a watchful eye from the park bench. When on vacation, she keeps them fully occupied with loads of activities while I give mine a free rein to do what they like. We groom the kids differently. She focuses more on academia while I encourage mine to be creative. My kids grew up surrounded by drawing paper, nature books, paint, crayons and toy dinosaurs. Hers had a huge lego collection and a room full of robots, toys trucks and army paraphernalia.

We seem to have so little in common, yet it’s amazing how happy we are when we’re together! She cracks me up with the little goofy things she does and we giggle like school girls when we meet. She’s protective and treats me like a little sister and she's someone I can always turn to. Perhaps we’re both easy going or maybe because we know each other so well, we click like the Ying Yang twins.

This friendship took us years to cultivate and we see many more to come, right into our golden years…

Back to reality

Ah, I woke up with aching shoulders (from the heavy backpack) and creaky feet. I need rest! Unfortunately, I have loads of work to do.... a big pile of letters to sort through and emails to deal with.

My best friend is still on leave today but I suspect she'll spend all day clearing emails. Working in a big corporation means she's bombarded with thousands of emails while lazing blissfully by the pool in Club Med.

This is probably the most dreaded part of a vacation... besides the hole in the pocket.

Hermit crabs

In Club Med, we spent our evenings scouring the beach for little hermit crabs. These little cuties start appearing on the sand beds every evening, as if on cue. Once you see one, you'll find alot more surfacing one by one. They come in all shapes and sizes (the shells I mean). Even the tinest ones have a little crab inside.

We made some videos but being a YouTube noob, I haven't figured out how to post it here. But you can click on this link to see the little ones scurrying around.

Home at last!

Finally, we are home! It was a lovely trip. The kids had a great time! My best friend and I enjoyed every minute of the well-deserved break.

Club Med's a little different this time round. First of all, we were made to wear a plastic tag around our wrist. We felt like hospital patients! With this tag, we can go to the bar counter to get free drinks anytime of the day! I remember we had to pay for over-priced cold drinks in the past. You know how thirsty one gets in the tropical heat.

I'm glad Club Med has moved with the times. I remember my first visit more than ten years ago... the rooms were spartan. No TV, telephone, newspapers or even airconditioning in the rooms. Of course at that time, getting to Club Med meant 'getting away from it all...'. Perhaps, they couldn't afford to put in all that frills at that time. Now Club Med works like a well-oiled piece of machinery. Each beautifully landscaped resort runs efficiently and boasts of luxurious bedroom furnishings and world-class facilities.

Well, I'll let the pictures show you.....

Tagged!
View from the al-fresco restaurant.

The al-fresco restaurant.

View from our room. The beach.Colourful fishes swim around the boulders when the tide comes in.

Low tide during sunset.

I found another hermit crab!

Into the hermit crab pit.

Vacation almost over

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go....
Well, we'll be leaving on the 4pm ferry and it's back to the real world, baby!

Last night, we were treated to a fabulous circus act after dinner. My friend turned to me and said "I can't imagine you doing this!" She was refering to my job offer at Club Med years ago, of course.

"Yeah man. I can't sing, can't dance or do any circus act. I'll be kicked out in no time at all."

The G.O.s who work here do have a tough job. They keep our spirits up all day long, no matter how tired they are. They're in charged of many different activities, they eat and mingle with the guests and make sure we have a wonderful and unforgettable experience at Club Med. Come nightfall, they don fanciful costumes and dance and prance to keep us all entralled and entertained. What a job!

I don't think I'll ever make a good G.O.

Oh, I gotta go! Ta ta!

Time to chill out

It's day 3 of our vacation. We will leave paradise island tomorrow afternoon.... Just as well, for I am already feeling quite bored.

We woke up to a drizzly morning, feeling quite sluggish. Still, we went for a short morning jog before heading to the breakfast hall. After seeing too much food during the past few days, we have become more selective and tend to eat moderately.

I have to admit that I can't totally chill out because of work. Several times a day, I run up 4 storeys to the business centre to check my emails. This is probably the best exercise I get because this one and only ancient computer is often occupied and I'd have to go away and come back later. Thanks to the bouncy keyboard, I make lots of typo errors and spent alot of time proofreading. Of course, the speed is another thing...

Then again, I shouldn't even be sitting here in the first place. It's a vacation for goodness sake!Well, I've more or less sorted out this deal that I was working on, so I really should go and sit by the pool with the rest of the family and just chill out...

Time flies when you're doing nothing

So we arrived at the resort island yesterday around noon. Got herded up the bus which sent us to the doorstep of Club Med Ria Bintan within 15 minutes.

Our vacation began with a sumptuous buffet lunch at the impressive restaurant, after which we swam in the crystal clear or is it azure blue sea. When the sun started beating down on us, we retreated to the pool for some reprieve from the heat. Before you know it, it's almost time for dinner! But of course we must burn off those calories first. So best friend and I went for our evening jog while the boys cooled off in the rooms.

Dinner was another fabulous spread of tempting food. I think we over indulged in the dessert department, our judgement was slight marred... blame it on the whole bottle of wine that we both downed! Who can resist those gorgeous pies...gleaming with lemon custard, caramalised walnut, banana chocolate, strawberry and fruits toppings? Of course we were so stuffed, our heads couldn't think straight anymore. So we headed straight to the bar for some margaritas and beer while the boys returned to the rooms for some rest. The drinks must have loosened us up for my friend and I haven't had such a heart to heart talk in such a long while...

We started this morning with an invigorating run on the scenic golf course, followed by a healthy breakfast. Then we packed the younger kids off to the junior club while best friend and I lounged by the pool reading trashy novels. (hers actually)

Oh my, how time flies! It's almost lunch. No wonder my tummy is growling....

Happily ever after

We just came back from watching Shrek 3. In the show, the bad Prince Charming asked his cronies "What's your 'happily ever after?"

It's a good question. I've never really thought about this. Have you?

Molly Coddle

Yesterday evening, just before dinner, my little niece’s foot got slammed by the closing door. She cried out loudly in pain and everyone at home tried to comfort her. She’s surrounded by lots of people who love her dearly, her parents, grandparents, cousins and all. With all the attention, she wailed louder and louder until her father decided enough is enough!

In his very stern voice, he told her to stop. Of course she went into another round of crying frenzy. Being the very sensitive and insecure 30-month old, she probably thought her daddy didn’t love her anymore.

I wasn’t at the scene as I was cooking in the kitchen. After cooking, I hurried to the living room to see her sobbing like it’s the end of the world. My brother was still holding her, looking very displeased while wifey looked morose and helpless.

Being the busybody that I am, I quickly took her from my brother’s arms. “Come, let’s go for a little walk.” She clung on tightly to me, still sobbing while holding a huge strawberry that grandpa had given her earlier. We went to the garden and I spotted a dried leaf that had fallen from the papaya tree.

“Oh, look! We have a little umbrella!” It’s lame, I know but it does look like an umbrella and I needed something to distract her. Well, she stopped crying and her face brightened up when I put the leaf over her head. “See, now you’ve got a new umbrella! A special one too!”

She looked pleased and began nibbling on her strawberry. “Now we must go inside and you will tell Daddy and Mummy you’re sorry.”

We went in, I put her on her Mummy’s lap and said “Ok, sorry! Mummy love love!”. Her mummy cuddled her, “Next time you must behave. Let me look at your toe…” Next, she went to Daddy for some more cuddles….

I know, I know. I shouldn’t molly coddle her but how can I let her cry the whole night? I was hungry you know….

The big helmet

Vain girls ...last cycling trip to Malaysia.

See the new helmet I bought it for the cycling trip! All this while, I would rent or borrow from friends when I am out cycling. Now I have one to call my own!

Up till yesterday, I was still biting my nails. We didn’t hear from our travel agent Ameer about the cycling trip all week. The calls to his office went unanswered and he didn’t reply my emails. It was frustrating as we had other things to do... like book our own rooms in Paris for the pre- and post-bike tour, get train tickets etc. Just so that we wouldn’t end up with nothing, I didn’t want to cancel the Turkey trip and accommodation until we have our France one in place.

Finally the waiting game ended on Saturday morning when the much awaited email came in, barely one week before the trip! I started packing right away. Rain jacket, shorts and t-shirts, swimsuit, sandals… everything fitted nicely into the backpack, except the helmet.

Hmm, looks like it’s going to take up all the space in my hand carry. CH has a good suggestion…wear it everywhere I go! :-I

Thoughts from the garden

When the kids were younger, they would hang around while I worked in the garden. Of course they weren’t much help… mostly, you would find them looking for fat earthworms under the rocks or running around catching spiders, grasshoppers and ladybirds, or trampling on the flower beds in pursuit of butterflies.

Now that they are older, they don’t hang around so much anymore. For a while, all I had for company was Rusty. He would be sniffing for toads or chasing garden lizards, and always trampling on my plants, killing them in the process.

Today, I am the lonely soul in the garden. I think Rusty has grown up too. Like the boys, he prefers the comfort of the cool living room.

Come to think of it, I miss having them in the garden. Nevermind if they are pesky… Come, trample on my plants!

Suddenly saturday

It's Saturday already? Oh, wow, looks like a busy weekend. I have bags to pack for the family vacation and the cycling trip. The trips are almost back-to-back, that means I don't have much time to do any packing in between.

Oh, the garden looks like hell. I have to get rid of the weeds before they overtake the garden when we return. The plants need pruning too and I haven't fed them fertilisers for so long.

Busy busy. Ciao!

Parents and teenagers

An interesting article “What do teenagers want from their parents?” came in my mailbox today. Thought I’d share it because it’s good advice for everyone, not just parents….

Love And Support
Teenagers struggle with identity. They worry about their appearance, popularity, lack of confidence, the future. Friends are very important and they feel easily hurt if they are rejected or criticized by their peer group. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty and lack of self-worth. Besides they are put under increasing pressure to succeed academically. When crisis occur, they need you to believe in him.

Someone To Listen
Parents should listen twice as much as you speak and try to understand the situation from your teenager's point of view. True listening is actually the best way to build a rapport and establish an amazing relationship with your teenager or with anyone..

Listen To Me and I'll Listen To You
If your teen seems likely to make a decision you don't like, don't give unsolicited advice, criticize, lecture or boss. If it's not an important decision, then you will score points for listening and accepting your teen's right to makeup his own mind. This will stand you in good stead when a really important decision is under discussion. The fact that you listen to him will encourage him to listen to you and you have a much better chance that he will be influenced by what you have to say the next time.

Listen Doesn't Mean Agree
This doesn't mean you will agree with or accept everything your teen says. You will still have your own viewpoint, but by listening you show a willingness to try to understand.

Letting Go
You have to let go and take the risk that your teenager will make a mistake. Experience is the best teacher. All of us learn from the consequences of our decisions. Without this learning, your teenager won't become a fully functioning independent adult.

These simple tips are crucial information to help parents build and establish a supportive and cordial relationship with their teenagers.

Stella - a sad story

I just received a shocking phone call from a friend. Stella has passed away.

The first time I saw Stella was 3 years ago, the day she got married to my friend's brother. The vivicious girl looked gorgeous and radiant at her Church wedding. But the beautiful wedding has no fairytale ending....

Shortly after the wedding, the couple started having problems. They were soon living apart and led separate lives, but they were never divorced.

One and half months ago, Stella was admitted to the hospital due to severe diarrhoea. Being a diabetic patient, her condition became complicated, which led to the amputation of one leg. All that time, she suffered quietly and put up a brave front. Thankfully, she had the support of her own family because never once did her estranged husband visit her at the hospital.

Yesterday, she called her husband's mother, sobbing. In her weak voice, she said she couldn't hold on any longer. She passed away five minutes after her mother-in-law made it to the hospital.

Her husband was there, for the very first time since she was ill. But it was all too late....

Mother Hen, in case you're wondering.... yes, it's the same Stella that you guys did the wedding shoot for.

Trees

I was saddened to hear about an accident that happened at the exit of the treetop walk trail yesterday afternoon, the same spot we were at hours earlier. A man in his 20s was killed when he was struck by a fallen branch. It was raining heavily and the wind was strong at the time of the incident.

Just over two weeks ago a woman was killed and two of her friends injured, when a raintree in the Bukit Batok Nature Reserve collapsed on them. On the same day, a Singaporean man died in Mount Ophir in Johor, when a tree fell on him. And five days later, another man died in the same way, also on Mount Ophir.

I am big admirer of trees. Trees are a thing of beauty. I love the way the branches spread out majestically from the trunk. I even love the unique shape of each different species, and the way the leaves open up to receive sunlight and close at nightfall. I like reading under the shade provided by trees. What joy to see the silhouette of trees against the rising sun as I drive along the highway every morning. I love cruising along the shady stretch of Old Thomson Road which is flanked by old trees which arch gracefully across the road.

How can something so beautiful be a killer? It's hard for me to accept. Still that doesn't change the way I look at trees.

What's your flavour?

If there’s one thing in life that I can’t give up, it’s got to be ice cream! How not to love ice cream on our sunny island?

Our ice cream flavours come in the most imaginative concoctions, from the boozy to the nutty, fruity, spicy or even savoury… we've Japanese, Turkish, American, Australian, Italian or local… you name it, we have it!

When I was in Italy, I had a gelato a day. I can't help it if there’s a gelataria in every street corner. Can you imagine I was standing in line at the most famous gelataria in Trieste, in the middle of the night to get my daily fix? Where else in the world can you find an ice cream line at this hour?

I couldn’t get enough of the irresistable creations at Coldstones in America. “If you want it in your ice cream – you get it”. Oh, I always get it! I’d go for their freshest, crunchiest roasted almonds with my favourite ice cream flavours! I’d describe my ultimate ice-cream fantasy to friends back home who cared to listen. We don’t have Coldstones here and it’s hard to describe the mixing on cold granite stone …

Of course I love my Haagen-Dazs (rum & raisin) and Ben & Jerry’s (chunky monkey) too. But nothing beats our local parlours that produce the freshest and most exotic east-meets-west creations.

My latest ice-cream indulgence was at the Daily Scoop. As I peered at the tubs of colourful goodies, I could see why it’s one of the best in Singapore. I was in ice-cream heaven! Hear this - Kahlua Krunch, Hazelnut Haven, Mocha Mania, Brandied Figs & Honey, black forest cherry, durian, chempedak, jackfruit… I picked Lychee Martini which lived up to its reputation as one of their bestsellers. The velvety smooth ice cream is peppered with chunks of juicy lychee pieces. It’s not too rich and cloying, but oh, so refreshing on a hot afternoon. I wish I’d bought a tub!

No visit to Meidi-ya Japanese supermarket is complete without ordering a scoop of my favourite green tea/red bean flavour from the Japanese ice-cream parlour. Being the more adventurous one, CH always orders a new flavour which he’ll share with me. Thanks to him, I’ve tried black sesame, chestnut and wasabi, but I still like mine the best.

We’ve visited many local parlours with interesting creations. There's one that gamely encourages customers to suggest new flavours. Thanks to the abundant supply of local and imported fruits, we probably have the most unique concoctions you can think of. All I can say is, the more the merrier.

Ting! Ting! Ting! Oh, how can I forget our favourite ice cream man! He comes around the neighbourhood on his motorbike, ringing his bell. He pulls out a block of ice cream from his portable freezer, cut it into slabs and put them between 2 pieces of wafers or bread. He's every kid's best friend!

Eh, I think I solved another mystery today….you know, the middle-aged spread mystery. I should cut down on ice cream? I scream!

In case you're wondering, I indulge in ice cream occasionally. After my weekly run with my best friend, we treat ourselves to soymilk ice cream at Mr Bean. It's healthy and yummy!

Treetop walk

I’m back from the hike. The sky is dark and it’s pouring outside as I write. What a change in weather!

While I was driving to Macritchie this morning, the red ball of fire rising from the east gave an indication of a hot morning ahead. True enough, the sun was beating down on us when we started walking at 8am.

We took the nature trail from Venus Drive near the Singapore Island Country Club that leads to the treetop walk. It’s almost an uphill climb all the way. Soon, our wet shirts were plastered to our backs under the sweltering heat and humidity. We walked on gravel foot paths, paved tracks, muddy trails, boardwalk and timber steps before reaching the bridge.

Nestled in the lush Central Catchment Nature Reserve, this free-standing suspension bridge that is 25m above the ground offers a fantastic view of the canopy. We saw butterflies, birds and a monkey on a treetop and were entertained by the shrill sounds of cicadas, crickets and birds.

The return route took us up and down a series of boardwalks. By the time we finished at 11am, the heat was unbearable. That’s a sign of rain.

True enough, it’s pouring now, and it feels alot cooler. Well, that’s our typical tropical weather. Rusty is sound asleep under the table. It's the perfect time for my afternoon nap too!

Vesak Holiday

It's Vesak day (the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha) today. The exact date of Vesak is in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (typically May), coinciding with the first full moon of that month.

It's 6.30am and I'm ready to leave the house. We're going trekking at MacRitchie Reservoir. It's been a while since I've gone hiking. Look out for my post later.

Ciao!

Home again

By now, Mother Hen should be almost home after a long flight across the oceans. Her hubby will be eagerly waiting for her at Portland Airport to take her home. Already feeling unwell from a cold, she must endure another 5-hour drive before she can step into her house in Bend again.

Oh, but how happy she’ll be to see hubby again! Being away from a loved one for 3 long weeks is certainly no fun, especially when you’re sick.

Isn't it so nice to be home? So comforting to be back to the familiarity of it all. You’re free to wear your old PJs, sleep on your own bed, hug your pillows and most importantly, go back to your old routine.

It was nice having you here. I really hope to see you sometime soon!

A simpler life

Thank you, Holly, for making me "reawaken an old lonely post". This is an early favourite. It reminds me of my priorities all over again.

**********************************

Today, I heard about a close relative who had almost passed out during a meeting at work. A visit to the hospital revealed that he has a blocked artery in the brain. A successful entrepreneur with business spanning across Asia Pacific, he has everything going for him. He is at the prime of his life but right now, he is probably reorganizing his priorities.

Today, my best friend was talking about her customer who had just passed away. He was a director of a large MNC in the semi-conductor industry. He was only in his fifties and had climbed his way up the corporate ladder in an extremely competitive industry. He had probably devoted his entire life to work and was looking forward to his upcoming retirement. We all know a person or two who left us too early.

These were people who had slogged all their lives chasing their dreams. They were the same people who thought they could travel the world some day or see their grandchildren grow up.

This is a wake-up call. Today, I have decided to reprioritise and to simplify my life….

I will eat simply. I will feed my body with more healthy and natural food.

I will live simply. I will stop acquiring unnecessary things that will clutter up my life.

I will spend more time outdoors, take more walks in the parks and rediscover nature.

I will take better care of my mind and body though adequate exercise, rest and relaxation.

I will travel to see the world.

I will chat with mum more often.

I will play like a kid when I am with the kids.

I will catch up with old friends.

I will listen more and talk less.

I will be more tolerant of myself and of others.

I will smile more and frown less.

And the list goes on….

So womanly

While cleaning out my closet the other day, I threw out some tiny pieces of clothing. It’s amazing how I could fit into those things 5 years ago! Then again, I was at least 10 pounds lighter then.

Like all women, I whine about my weight all the time. I started watching my diet in my teens, to my parents’ dismay. Friends tried to convince me I wasn't fat but I never believed them. When I look at my old photos now, I realize I was indeed fit and trim.

Now that I’m older and wiser, I have learned to accept my slightly softer silhouette. Well, to be honest, no woman will ever come to terms with a rounder figure. Mum is so kind to tell me that it's nice to have a womanly figure. People tell me I look more radiant now. Of course that extra layer of fat does plump up the skin…

I’m wearing an old pair of khakis which used to swivel around my hips. Today it’s clinching tightly around my waist. If this thing is going to creep up on me surreptitiously despite my exercise regime and healthy diet, I guess I have to embrace it. Mum is probably right. Better to be womanly and healthy than gaunt and sickly.

Oh, wait! I just read a report from the American Heart Association. Apparently women who lift weights twice a week can prevent or at least slow the middle-aged spread.

Sheesh, middle-aged spread… is that what they call it? Sigh. Let me go lift some weights.