Slice of Life #24 2015

The claim out there is that fresh water is a renewable resource as it comes back to us in the form of rain. If this is the case, then why are we experiencing shortages in our tropical land that hosts some of the world's oldest rainforests? R-A-I-N-forests. Hah!

The painful fact is that this priceless resource is on its way out. Only some 3% of fresh water is suitable for human consumption and this number is decreasing by the day, owing to contamination and pollution from man's insatiable desire for industry and monoculture. Research states that we still have a couple of centuries yet before this truly reaches severe levels, yet here I sit wondering if I'll be able to shower tomorrow...

Then there's the issue of water levels decreasing while the world's population increases. According to an article I read recently, water reserves are being used up so quickly that these are unable to replenish and keep up with the demand. I'd say the frequent droughts in KL exemplifies this to a 'T'. 

It's inevitable. As long as we live the way we live, there will be no renewal of that precious resource we call water. 

Image and Info: "peak water | The Quantum Revolution." 2013. 26 Mar. 2015 <http://www.quantumrevolution.net/tag/peak-water/>

Slice of Life #23 2015

An Apology to all Slice of Life Challengers

I fell off the Slice of Life bandwagon.
Apologies
From the bottom of my heart.
So, I've added a picture
of a rather cute puppy,
A clever distraction
(I'm sneaky like that)
to help you forget,
or, just maybe,
to help you forgive... ;-)



Image: "Zully's Land :) | I welcome you!." 2014. 26 Mar. 2015 <http://www.zullysland.com/>

Slice of Life #22 2015

On any given day, I find it necessary to add to one of my numerous lists for school, home and social engagements. My school lists are updated daily - yes, listS. I'm going to avoid expanding on these as they are never ending, some may say epic, even. It's the case of getting one thing done, celebrating for 30 seconds, and then having to add three more 'to dos' right after. Proof that teacherie responsibilities never cease.

My lists at home are numerous, too. I have the weekly necessities (veg, milk, eggs, consumables), the monthly reminders (bills), and the dream list. Yes, I have a dream list and it goes something like this:

Things to do over Spring Break...

1) Fix washer / purchase a new one (can't decide, but leaning toward being a responsible global citizen and doing the former) 
2) Clean out guest bedroom (hah! Might have to postpone till summer)
3) Fix dad's mridangam (immediately - I commence beginner classes in April!)
4) Purchase cheap sound system (to inform upstairs neighbour that techno is like totally dead, dude) 
5) Red Lazy Boy (hopefully, in this lifetime)
6) Personal chef (as above)
7) Personal shopper (as above)
8) Toyota Vios (postponed to December '15 owing to sudden urge to embark on a Graduate Certification in Inclusion Education)
9) Macbook Air (Yay! Had a lovely surprise yesterday)
10) Exercise and eat healthy - everyday (might have to postpone till summer).

So many things to do... so little time. Life is good. 

Video:  "Mridangam Master - YouTube." 2007. 26 Mar. 2015 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI9RJbljBLw>
Image: "Pudina Kobbari Pachadi - Coconut Mint Chutney Recipe ..." 2010. 26 Mar. 2015 <http://www.sailusfood.com/2010/04/05/pudina-kobbari-pachadi-mint-coconut-chutney/>

Slice of Life #21 2015

The great Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett lost his battle to Alzheimers recently, a week after my birthday. How strangely empty I feel at the thought of not being able to look forward to more wit and satire that is typically Pratchett. 

Rather than mourn his loss, I shall re-explore all the literature he has gifted me, rediscover the wonderment I never fail to obtain from these readings. 


Rest in peace Mr. Pratchett and thank you for making me laugh out loud no matter where I am. You will be missed.

Image: "The Colour of Magic – Terry Pratchett | Tom Girard." 2015. 23 Mar. 2015 <https://tommygirard.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/the-colour-of-magic-terry-pratchett/>

Slice of Life #20 2015

Saturdays are always a good time to reconnect with the friends that matter, and feel like one matters after all. My Saturday to reconnect happens once a month and is usually with Armitage¹ (not her real name) and her daughter.

A typical experience involves us meeting up either at BSC or BV once a month, usually after one's hair cut, or the other's weekly meni-pedi session - I'm the former 'one'. When we find each other, sarcasm is common place as we fault each other for not meeting up sooner. Her daughter, the only child under 10 who seems to love me unconditionally, often chides us for using what she thinks are 'rude words'. Bless. She is promptly reminded not to repeat what she hears until she is 18 and residing very far away from us.

We always seem to head in a very specific direction, either toward Jason's or Village Grocers. In no time at all, the shopping cart is filled with organic foodstuffs (and the occasional Lays Salt and Vinegar, Eggo waffles and 1.5 liters of Coca Cola because Aunty Geetha subscribes to a monthly trans-fats experience).

Next on the agenda is a quick drive back to Armitage's where I immediately assume the slacker position on the left end of the couch facing in front of the telly. My dear friend sets about warming up something organic prepared ahead of time and brings this over on a large, white tray.


Then, the highlight of the day commences - marathon viewings of our favourite ITV Choice series. Lewis, Arthur & George, Come Dine with Me, Shetland, and repeat viewings of Benedict Cumberbatch and/or Tom Hiddlestone in action.

By the time we are done catching up with our gossip, consuming copious amounts of food, and indulging in television marathons, it's usually way past 10 P.M. and time for me to head on back to jolly Ampang.

Good friends make life a whole lot better.




¹I earned the name 'Shanks' following an extremely silly event involving bathroom fixtures of a specific brand in the good old days when we were footloose and fancy-free. 

Image: "Salisbury-Inspired Southwest Chopped Steak - Cooking On ..." 2012. 23 Mar. 2015 <http://highlandsranchfoodie.com/2012/03/salisbury-inspired-southwest-chopped-steak/>

Slice of Life #19 2015

To Sharon

A walking

Brain.

A Mind

not unlike an 

educational encyclopedia.

A soul

so Deep.

A Heart

so Big.

Humour so... 

Excellent(!)

it always

hits the spot.

Thank you, Sharon,

For being.
Period.

Image:  "Pictures from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lenny's ..." 2004. 19 Mar. 2015 <http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/alice2a.html>

Slice of Life #18 2015

This weekend, I saw a lamb playing on the back of a crocodile... maybe it was an alligator, I couldn't tell.

The sky was a clear azure, a rare event these days, and served up a multitude cloud forms. I had to indulge the senses while driving. The moment took me back to my childhood, sitting in the back of our trusty Peugeot on some long drawn journey to some place completely different from home. We sang songs, played "I spy..." and spotted those milky clouds feigning forms only recognisable by humans, or so I thought. 

I used to wonder if my other family - Ginger, Junior, Juno, Dawn, and Dopey - ever dabbled in cloud spotting while they lay out in the yard on their backs, their chubby tummies attempting to absorb the golden rays from the sun above. It seemed to me that they were, as they always seemed to be grinning, tongues hanging out the side of their muzzles when in this position. Now and then, they would flop their heads over to the other side, as though following the movements of these intriguing puffs of purity. Were they waiting to see what shapes would follow and grin some more? 

I'd like to think so. 

Image:  "Low-level clouds - Met Office." 2011. 18 Mar. 2015 <http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/clouds/low-level-clouds>