6-Pack Dinner

Noticing myself that my almost 6-pack abs is turning into a keg, and my sister's snarky remark with an evil smirk over the Lunar New Year at home ("Is there no gym in Juba?"), an intervention is definitely required in the utmost urgency. Upon returning to KL, I signed up at the gym at my condo so I can work out almost 24/7, except the gym is closed from midnight till 6.00 am. 

Working out is only part of the solution. I also vowed to eat healthily. So I quickly whipped up this yogurt fruit-pourri with nuts and honey. To plain Greek yogurt, just add diced fruits and toasted nuts of choice, I have papaya, watermelon, pamelo, walnuts and macadamia nuts. Then drizzle with honey. 

Now give me a spoon!

Be My Valentine... This Weekend!

While the origin of the Valentine's Day celebration remains unclear or unsubstantiated, or some would prefer to say, mystically and magically romantic, it is nonetheless celebrated around the world, thanks to the great people in the marketing departments. This is one of the days in a year where capitalism and commercialism work at their best. The law of supply and demand never looked so real and tangible as the prices of roses shoot up so ridiculously high as a result of the surge in its demand, all in the name of love. 

As the celebration frenzy is reaching it's fever pitch, the Anti-Valentine's Day campaigners are gaining grounds too. Some, mostly Chinese, say,  it's just another money generating scheme for some business that it's meaningless. Religious quarters say it would promote social ills such as pre-marital sex among the youngsters. There are groups, most likely single and desperate and bitter, who think it's just obscenely stupid to celebrate love for just one day of the year as love should be cherished every single moment the year throughout. They are probably right, but, oh what a bunch of party pooppers!

The Chinese in me is agreeing with the money making scheme point of view, whole-heartedly. The sinner in me is screaming "Are you fucking kidding me?" to the religious folks. The new-age-sensitive-man in me is simply taking the day as a reminder to show my love and appreciation and admiration to those dear to me. 

So, the new-age-sensitive-Chinese-sinner in me would probably doing something special but simple and most importantly cheap, with someone or some people I treasure and adore a great deal during this post Valentine's Day weekend, say like baking a key lime pie, or talking on the phone with them (via Skype free internet call), or wishing for a rainy day. 

Happy V Day.

Green Zanzibar

There was something amiss as I wandering around Stonetown, Zanzibar. The streets weren't exactly clean but there wasn't a plastic bag litter in sight. In the bustling Darajani market where anything and everything from fresh fish to dried spices to cooking pots to prayer cap to jellabiya robe to toothpaste to batteries, not a single purchase was packed away using plastic bags. 

Apparently back in the end of 2006, the semi-autonomous government in this tiny Tanzanian island banned the use, import and production of plastic bags on the island, as the discarded plastic bags pose a serious threat to the marine environment and hurt the tourism industry. The people were encourage to use the environmental friendly raffia bags as an alternative. The campaign on banning plastic bags was relaunched in 2012, showing the determination and commitment of the government.

The semi-autonomous government in a tiny African island had the staunch political will and determination to implement a law with massively positive and far reaching impact on the environment and the future generation, back in 2006. Perhaps in we can pick up our pace in implementing more green regulations at home. I think we can do so much more than just the no-plastic-bags-Saturday in the grocery stores.

Rustically weaved basket for the heavy duty shopping in the wet market, fresh fish or sacks of beans. 

Made-in-China recycle bags are on sale everywhere.

Colorful raffia bags for all kind of household shopping or for souvenirs.

Hey You!

You lookin' at me?

Photo of a sand crab. Photo taken on a shadeless sand bar just 15 minutes off coast Stonetown, Zanzibar.

Writing on the Wall

A gentle reminder to us who are so wrapped in our blind race trying to amass the wealth of the world to fulfill for the insatiable desire for instant gratification and mindless rush and superficial aesthetics.