CHRISTMAS IS BUT A MONTH AWAY

Christmas is but a month away.  Each year I ask myself what is the true essence of Christmas.  Somehow we cant escape from the commercialism or the pagan way of Christmas celebrations which involves new clothes, gift giving,  lots of alcohol drinking, rich food, meeting up with friends etc..  I myself am guilty of all mentioned.  I do go for midnight mass which I would have preferred not to as it does not hold any true meaning for me anymore.  I embrace Christmas which marks the birth of Christ in solitude. 

I had brunch with a girlfriend today at a restaurant which is popular for their Ipoh Hor Fun with steamed chicken.  The restaurant was crowded and business was brisk.  I ordered my chicken rice just as my friend predicted and was going through the motion; eating and catching up on the latest gossips.  I noticed an old man whom I guessed is from the PRC walking into the restaurant holding on to a transparent plastic cup. filled with RM1 notes.    He started begging from the 1st table which was nearest to the entrance.  As he approached I looked away and continued talking to my friend.  I always maintained a policy of not encouraging such 'donations' to beggars.

But my eyes could not help following his  movement and one thought came to mind.  Should I have given him something?  After all,  RM1 would not have caused a dent to my wallet.  My Mike would have done so.  As he approached the last table where a family of 7 or 8 people who consisted of a father, mother , children and grandparents were seated, the head of the family (father) asked if the old man was hungry.  The beggar nodded his head and the man promptly ordered a bowl of hor fun soup for him.  This family was leaving and they made sure that the beggar had his fill. 

The old man ate his food hungrily and continued about with his business of begging, smiling.  I am not sure how many people who would have set out to make such a difference.  I didnt... I was overcome with mixed emotions, mainly guilt.

Such a scene reminds me of one of those forwarded emails telling us that The Lord appears to us in many forms and ways.  Perhaps he appeared in the form of that beggar today and I cast him aside.

Christmas is about giving NOT receiving. 

'POON CHOI'

Literally translated means basin dish.  No joke!  The word 'poon' means basin and 'choi' is dish/vegetable.  Enough to feed a table of 14, we had this dish on Thursday, 08/10/09 to celebrate Noel's birthday.  Well, there wasn't 14 of us, only 11.  The dish consists of half a chicken, half a duck, a fish, loads of vegetables, pork knuckles, 12 big prawns, fish maw, mushrooms etc.  All layered up in one big basin and served as seen in the image attached.

The restaurant goes by the name of LYJ, very popular judging from the photos of famous celebraties posted on the walls at the main entrance. Besides this 'poon choi', the restaurant serves many other interesting and I suspect delicious dishes.  Although it was a Thursday, being a weekday it was packed with patrons but by 9.45 pm, it was almost deserted.  The restaurant is situated in Sungai Buluh new village and is well known amongst Rahman Putra golfers.

For the price of not more than RM250, the 11 of us had a scrumptious and very filling dinner.  Dinner was accompanied by our Mr Lee's XO Supreme brandy but alas, he was not able to join due to a sore tongue or so he claims.  Just as Mike commented, where did he put his tongue into?? :P

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9 September 2009... 09/09/09...

How often does this happen?  I must post something, anything.  I thought of taking pics of my new shocking pink wedges which I am wearing now but darn.. my camera is out of battery.  Something on fashion I thought but forget it since I am already wearing them today.

I met up with my ex-colleagues/best friends/confidantes yesterday evening for buka puasa at Delicious, Bangsar Village 2.  I have skipped many meet ups and I could not afford to miss this one. I had a great time catching up on the latest gossips and happenings with everyone.

I was in such a hurry to buka (like I fasted la.. but I was hungry ma..) puasa and was hanging on to every word, I totally forgot to take pics of my food, of everyone... Sigh!

Mawar brought along Didi and Yaya, Nora and Hamidah came solo, Priya could not make it.. Too bad, no pics of the yummy Green curry Chicken or the Assam Garoupa or the Thai steamed Sea Bass or the gooey chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.

We ended our session at 930pm.. wonder when will we meet again.  Hopefully during Hari Raya. :)

FASHION CRIME COMMITTED - COLE HAAN GENEVIEVE SMALL TRIANGULAR TOTE

My first fashion crime committed via the website was a Cole Haan Genevieve small Triangular Tote.  Very innocently I logged on to http://www.sinfullybagalicious.blogspot.com/ and very conveniently I place a 50% deposit for this not so ordinary looking tote.  My friend, Sharon has the spicy orange version, so I settled for saddle brown. Unluckily or luckily, saddle brown was no longer available and I gladly purchased the spicy orange.  I have been lugging this beautiful bag for the past 2 weeks and all I had were flattering remarks.  I spent a bomb but I am happy.  To some, its just a bag and indulgence but to me, I earned it.