my memories with you...

So I was back in Malaysia for the past 2 weeks.

Am on my way back now.

*big sigh *

lots of things happened, seriously.

my much-loved grandma has left me and my family.

It was really sad,

but I’m glad that she didn’t had to suffer much,

she left peacefully,

and every single of us was right by her side.

My grandmother had a good life,

my grandfather took good care of her and cared for her so much,

she told one of my aunties that she was happy.

All her seven children loved her and cared for her,

and I am sure that she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She had been to so many places around the world,

and had a good life that many people of her age wish for.

I grew up with my grandmother,

and I was really close to her.

have got lots of great memories with her

that I will never forget, forever.

Ah Ma,

I still remember the 'teochew kuih' you made,

I love them.

and I still remember you telling me to apply body shampoo

before hair shampoo so the shampoo won't go into my eyes,

still remember the sight of you cooking at the outd

oor kitchen.

the random morning bak kut teh session with grandfather,

the old public bus rides to Teluk Intan,

the trishaw rides which I enjoyed a lot,

visits to Popeye and Fajar,

not forgetting your favourite 'Mei Mei' saloon.

There was once you brought me across the river in Teluk Intan

to visit some temple, the sampan ride was scary. =)

Remember we used to walk to the Indian sundry store

50metres away from the farm? You would buy Livita and some junk-food for me.

The images of you feeding chickens and ducks are still clear in my mind,

oh and slaughter them during festive seasons. hehe.

I remember helping you to set up the table of food to pray for the ancestors,

I especially like pouring wine into those small cups!

You introduced me to Pei Pa Ko which I also like.

I still remember clearly how your snoring sounds like.

Do you know you are so great that you are one of the only few person

that could make me cry? Not because of scolding or whatever,

when you were admitted to hospital,

I would be so worried and sometimes I cry.

When I started going to school in KL, the whole family will go back to Teluk Intan every weekend right? So on Sunday afternoons, I'll silently cry in the car on the way back to KL, don't know why...it's just like that.

Talking about KL-Teluk Intan,

I somehow enjoyed 'Ma-la(Mara) Bus' ride with you last time.

On the other note, I was quite naughty last time,

I pee-ed on the floor because you didn't want to buy me something.

But you didn't scold me! you went and got it for me.

I'm sooo sorry about that.

Once in Teluk Intan, I went to the Indian workers house in the palm oil estate and didn't wanna go home, grandfather went there on a mot

orcycle with a feather duster, my only choice was to follow him home.

Once we got home, he started scolding me and you stopped him.

Every time you go for vacation, you'll surely get something for me.

I remember the trips to China and Australia with you.

I remember you giving me some extra pocket money to spend.

Remember your never ending complains about Mira,

and the story of our first maid who bullied me.

The old couple next to me reminds me of you and grandfather,

you guys were so cute playing cards together.

and you looked so cute wearing headphones in the plane. =)

I remember the last time I talked to you was on Skype,

the last time I talked to you in person was before I left for UK.

You were wearing green shirt that day.

I regret so much that I didn't hug you bef

ore I leave.

I still remember everything,

and I will always remember them.

This tie between you and me, a very special tie,

it will always be with me...

Do take good care of yourself up there,

and enjoy all the food that you were not allowed to eat last time.

Bless grandpa for his health and everything k?

I will always miss you.

Rest in peace Ah Ma.

these few days have been my longest days in life. at the midst of completing my assignments, I received bad news which I've expected, but never in my life, want to receive. it's really really really hard to take it. but I had to stay calm and strong, focusing on what I had to do. After all the %^&*($%^&*, I'm at the airport now, waiting for the flight, the first one which I won't enjoy taking. I really hope my grandma will wait for me, she can still hear us, and I really want her to hear my voice, know that I'm there for her. Please, give her strength for that. I will be with you in 13 hours.

my grandmother is in some emergency care unit now.

i really hope she is fine.

and i hope she won't be too sad when she knows half her body is paralyzed.

i really hope she stays strong.

i don't want anything worse to happen to her.

i really don't.

she means a lot to me.

hope she is fine...

please.

the difference is...

falling sick here is so much different from falling sick back home...

at home, we can just go to ANY clinic and see a gp, get some medicine, eat and get well.

here, we have to make appointment to see some gp which might take up to a few days,

and when you see the gp, tell him you have fever and headache,

he'll just tell you to go get some paracetamol from pharmacy and get more rest,

if it's still not okay, come back next week. wtf!

at home, mum will wake me up in the middle of the night for medicine and herbal tea,

my job is just to sleep.

here, i have to set alarm and wake up myself.

at home, my grandma will slowly climb upstairs to my room,

just to touch my forehead and see whether my fever is gone.

man, i miss her.

here, i have to freaking touch my own forehead and wonder whether it is hot enough to be fever, when you are sick, your hand can be cold sometimes, so yea. can't really know whether it's fever or not.

at home, my maid will cook porridge and prepare everything i need.

here, I have to cook myself, worse, I have to wash the dishes myself.

at home, when I ask for some medicine,

both my grandparents will take out their collection of western+chinese+thai, whatever medicine, right away. seriously, old people, when you tell them any symptoms you have, they will surely have something for you. haha even though some of them didn't work, but most of them did.

here, I have to head to the sundry shop to get panadols on my own when it's 5 degree celsius out there.

at home, I get well in 2-3 days.

here, I get well in about 2 weeks?

hmm after all, that's part of the uni experience right?

cold

I'm officially wearing 3 layers tomorrow!

It's getting crazy cold.

I have been sick since last week.

Fever.Headache.Cough.Runny nose.

My fingers were all numb after walking back from lecture.

I will need a pair of gloves real soon...

and seriously, I miss Malaysia's weather. -.-

catch of the day-haddock

cooked something different again today.

it's called Roasted Haddock wrapped in smoked bacon with lemon mayonnaise and asparagus. =)

it was pretty good!

I miss eating fish. This is only the third time of me eating fish here.

I eat fish like everyday at home. So, sisters at home, appreciate all the fish grandpa cooks!

the recipe was from jamieoliver.com btw.

take 1take 2. =)

oh this is the BIG BREAKFAST I cooked the other day. for lunch. no time in the morning!

it reminds me a lot of LaBodega and my family and weekends morning..oh well.... =)

it's just gonna be four years jiaming.

on the other note....I bought a red hoodie I always wanted! thanks mum! it's gonna protect me from the crazy weather this winter!....with 3 more shirts inside. =) only told her about that after I got it. lol.

hmmm I like this shot. so cool...with the beach...like rapper...............from kuala selangor yo!

autumn is officially here.

I'm 8 hours behind.

sun sets earlier day by day.

when i get out after the 5pm lecture...it feels like 8.

nvm...I'll look forward for winter..or maybe just the snow.

nottingham games up this weekend.

next weekend? study!

ciao!

week 4

time flies over here. really. last weekend is just like a few days ago.

i guess it's all the 'kaki-lai' (hokkien) stuff like cooking, studying, washing, groceries shopping that kept myself busy.

which is good! =)

no time to feel lonely or homesick.

but yea, I do feel a wee bit homesick for a few minutes at night before I sleep. haha.

u know, the few minutes on bed before you fall asleep.

miss my grandparents, hope they are doing okay and especially my grandma.

it has already been a few months since she started dialysis.

of course i do miss my family too. hope they are doing absolutely fine too.

okay, i'm really sorry that this blog is kinda turning into a food blog. but! cooking is quite a big part of my life here...besides studying. i love cooking, so yea, i spend quite a lot of time and money for it. but i'm sure it's okay to spend on food right...food wor...and cooking is always cheaper than eating out. so yeap!

simple stuff....fried rice with bacon, cucumber(i know rite, why cucumber. to add in crunchy texture.), prawn, and some japanese dried fish skin on it.

spaghetti bolognese. I always have problem estimating spaghetti. it feels so little before you cook. i guess it's a good way to get fat, i need it for the upcoming winter. =)
as for today, friday, pretty free. So i decided to cook something different.

got jamie oliver's recipe.

it's called 'Garlic shrimp and veg on herby lentils'.

bought all the ingredients required like spinach, basil, mint, lemon, cherry tomatoes, lentils and onions.
always get your stuff ready to avoid havoc during cooking. =)

and this is it! oh i made some mashed potato to complement it. it's my staple food now.

btw, a lil oyster sauce and sesame oil besides milk, butter, salt and pepper into the mashed potato. it's legendary!

this is my best meal so far. seriously. haha. it's really nice i'm not lying.

i will be more than happy to cook for you if you come. =)

then i don't have to eat alone. =(
without flash.

gonna try another recipe tomorrow, or maybe sunday.

fish it is!

ciao!