Wash. Clean. Repeat. Wash. Cook. Repeat.

May 4, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Wiped all surfaces. Dusted rugs. Vacuumed floors. Scrubbed sinks and bathroom floors. Cleaned toilets. Repeated the sequence at my mum’s unit. The following week – washed, cleaned and repeated the routine at my unit, and then my mum’s. Hard work these. I like a clean house and bathroom just like the next person. But, I […]

Different generation

April 27, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

My mum wears sarees. Cotton sarees at home. Nylex or silk for social and important outings. All six yards of fabric, wrapped around the lower body, with the patterned end pleated in the front and lying loosely over the left shoulder. Worn with a matching blouse and under a petticoat or ‘pavada.’ Now, her homewear […]

Back to normal…

April 20, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I have written three posts related to Covid-19. Two more than I had intended. And, here I am again writing about it. I didn’t want to for obvious reasons. The deluge of coverage in the print, electronic and social media is more than enough. Everyone has an opinion – right, wrong, ambiguous or self-serving. Politicians, […]

My mum’s recipe 2: Muruku

April 13, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I like my mum’s ‘muruku’ best. Of all the savoury delicacies at Deepavali, ‘muruku’ or crunchy crackers is my favourite. Golden brown with little ‘mullus’ or spikes. Twisted, like a pretzel but not quite. A textured consistency with just the right snap. Yummy and flavourful. Not biased. Just honest. My mum’s ‘muruku’ should come with […]

Online delivery

April 6, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I am hunkering down like most Malaysians. Staying at home. Washing my hands. Social distancing. I am also trying to help flatten the curve by minimising physical shopping and physical contact at supermarkets. Since the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, I have been to the supermarket thrice. The pre-shop planning and post-shop sanitizing […]

Social distancing

March 30, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Social distancing fits me to a T. I have been practising social distancing all my life. I welcome it. In fact, one of my pet peeves is people invading my personal space. I cannot and still cannot understand why people sidle up so close. Literally and obliviously in my face. It’s not that I am […]

Safe from Covid-19…

March 23, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

My hands are so dry. My already brittle nails are more brittle and splitting now. I wash my hands so many times in a day. I have lost count. I have always washed my hands, particularly before eating and/or doing stuff food related. But never these many times. I wash my hands the minute I […]

Thin and not thin

March 16, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I didn’t do a facial for a very long time. I eventually decided to book one. It was not because I thought it would help me look like I wish I did – not likely to happen. It was to not lose the balance on the package that I had signed up for. The aesthetician, […]

Sad but hopeful

March 9, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I was sad. I was disappointed. How did this happen? From February 23, 2020 to March 1, 2020 – the government that I had voted in was no more. In just one week, the political landscape in Malaysia underwent a radical make-over. Although not quite the same, it reminded me of Project Runaway’s oft-quoted line, […]

Mum’s recipe 1: Nai urundai

March 2, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I decided to start off my mum’s recipe series or category with one of my top favourites. ‘Nai urundai’ or ghee balls. I am not a great fan of Indian sweets but this one is quite exceptional. I didn’t always like it. I acquired a taste for this melt-in-your mouth roundish yumminess in my latter […]