0 StART FM (Flea Market) Charity Bazaar

Meri's always passionate when sharing about her experiences in Bentong Farm Sanctuary. I've never been there but the animated expression of her face and voice excited me enough to find out more.

She showed me photos which spoke of that lovin' feeling. What they do is amazing. It's a place where animals can truly call "home", a no-kill sanctuary. Dogs, goats, cows, ducks and many other animals roam free. Their medical needs and food are taken care of. They get lots of TLC from the keeper and volunteers of the farm.

A stream where you can dip your toes in, green trees which dance to the call of the wind, hilly paths with furry friends. That's what I call inner peace.

As it is, there's a charity bazaar being held this Saturday to raise funds for the sanctuary, which is in dire need. Be there, because you care ♥

Flyer taken from StART's Facebook Event's page

Check out the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/158900090872472

0 The stars shine on Seri Pilmoor, Ara Damansara

Beyond my means, but not beyond jaw-dropping admiration.

The year is almost at an end. I'm still scouting for that perfect home. I believe I've found it many times and would have signed on the dot if it weren't so costly. The price tag on these properties are downright illogical these days, especially in mediocre salaried Malaysia. I would not stretch the Ringgit in present conditions.

Seri Pilmoor is built on one of the last vestiges of freehold land, located in the highly sought after address that is Petaling Jaya. It's one of the most exciting places I've been to.

Lin drove us to Ara Damansara in search of this hidden jewel. She's my BFF, also ardent snooper of new neighbourhoods. I heart her for the adventure she invokes in us.

We drove into an open parking lot some distance away from the show unit, after registering our details at the security booth.

A sense of joy and wonder washed over me as I took in the luscious greens and unusual steel walkways above our heads. It was different. I cannot explain the joy that fills my heart so suddenly, as sudden as the sun shines after the rain. There was a pool and beside it, an odd structure of a building furnished with beautifully carved wooden furniture. Artsy? Yes, but not overly.

 A down-to-earth Saleslady welcomed us. We were left to explore the huge bungalow show unit. There was an element of trust and keenness to please in her eyes that made our visit a pleasurable experience. She attended to our questions without judging our ability to afford the place. 

"Now here's a perfect example of someone every other Developer should think of hiring", I enthused, keeping the thought to myself.

Sime Darby has certainly put an edge into the design of these bungalows. These beauties are priced from RM4.9mil onwards and already it looks the part of a prestigious neighbourhood that could dethrone the likes of Desa ParkCity and the overdeveloped Mont Kiara. Primed for exclusivity, it's a surefire hit for those craving to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

I love the finishing touches and the overall look of the place. There are brick walls separating each unit from the neighbouring unit, but it is not entirely enclosed. An open concept that promotes neighbourliness. 

Maintenance fees are an estimated RM1k per month.

I leave starry-eyed.....

Work in Progress - Oct 2011 (65%)

A close-up

The facade

Solid front door

Love this idea (upper floor has a great view of the lower floor)

Dining area

Bedroom

Living room

Another favourite, an open air top floor

0 Stir Fried Beef - Venturing into Vegemite

"Eh, this one also can-lar", I convinced my Unc with gusto. It was hard to ignore, the I'm-ready-for-something-new look on my lightly made-up face, accompanied with a grin.

We were supposed to get Marmite for Aunt Em, but I thought we should expand her food variety a little. That's how I landed myself with a whole jar of Vegemite ...uhuh, Aunt Em didn't like it one bit. No doubt producers of Marmite would thrill over this news - Vegemite, not so mite-y after all.

Vegemite

It dawned on me that I was holding a jar of something I myself had never tried in my life. At first glance, it looked like rat glue. I wasn't ecstatic about the scent either. 

Can't possibly donate this to someone else now, could I? It seemed like an impolite thing to do. It seemed like what a spoilt brat would do.

So, I did the only thing I could think of (because it was brown..is that even logical??). I got down to including it into any dish which uses soy sauce as a key flavour.  Vegemite makes a great replacement. I can now testify to that after experimenting with a couple of dishes.

Here's one of my lip-smacking discovery:

Tender, tender

You ARE messy. Clean the sides!

Recipe? Roughly..

Ingredients:
- 3/4 thumb sized ginger (thinly sliced)
- 200g beef fillet (thinly sliced, otherwise cook longer until tender)
-  5 baby carrots (cut bite sized)
- 2 sprigs Spring onions (sliced into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 tsp cornflour (mix with a bit water in a bowl)

- 3/4 tsp Vegemite
- A weeee bit of dark soy sauce for colour
- A pinch of salt and pepper, to taste- A dash of Worcestershire sauce for zing

Todo:
- Heat wok with a bit of oil. Stir fry ginger. 
- Add sliced beef and carrots. 
- Stir, stir, stir, add pinch of salt and pepper. A dash of Worcestershire sauce here and there and finally a teaspoon of Vegemite and that weeee bit of dark soy sauce. 
- Add water and let it simmer, covered, until meat is tender. 
- Finally, pour in a bit of cornflour. Stir quickly.
- Switch off the heat. Throw in two sprigs of crunchy fresh spring onions (chopped into 1inch sizes). Stir and serve immediately.

0 A new friend - White Snake's concert

A blessing. Meri offered us a pair of White Snake concert tickets which she'd won in a contest.

I've never met Meri in person before, but we clicked on Facebook and have had countless humorous conversations. She was like the rainbow that cheers the world up after gloomy weather.

We met for the first time that day, 30th October 2011. Let it be written.

I had an awesome time at White Snake's concert. The crowd was noticeably older. A comfortable feeling washed over me. No shrieking teens and unruly behaviour. It was more proper but no less energetic. Everything was just peachy and then it had to happen.

The occasional stench wafted up our noses but we couldn't find the source for sure. We guessed. Body odour, it was dizzily nauseating. Occasionally, I wrinkled my nose as though that would make it go away.  Good thing White Snake put on a solid performance that distracted my mind from focusing too much on it.

David Coverdale, the lead singer, has such charismatic stage presence, I could not help but be lulled into a fan-like trance. My hands were raised in adulation. Here's a short snippet of his performance:

Some photos I took:

Apa khabar!

Is this love..

Hot guitarist

The Stage

Opening Act, Ella was awesome as well

2 Aunt Aggie drops in to sprinkle some sunshine

A surprise visit! Aunt Aggie flew down. I'm thrilled. She's planned a secret Birthday party for Hubs and sent me a card with a private message ages ago, warning me of her impending arrival. That was a hint to arrange the party.

I've been too busy, of course. Aunt Em has been hospitalised again and this time, indefinitely. The time just went and things were done impromptu.

On one of the days, I took Aunt Aggie out to sight-see. We plopped ourselves onto a comfortable chair in Papparich after a long shopping session in Ikea. We didn't buy much. We just love looking at "stuff". Ikea products intrigue us. It was the land of imagination where homes were made from dreams.

We had a light snack. I was in the mood for something visually exciting and ordered the egg pudding in tau foo fah. I wouldn't say it was exceptionally great, but it was good enough for me to polish off the stemmed glass bowl.

A day I enjoyed. The Birthday party? Oh, that'll be in another write-up.

Egg Pudding + Tau Foo Fah

0 When..

Two months pass. The bed has been her closest friend, providing comfort none of us could give. Comfort that is detrimental to her well-being. Her muscles are weakening from the lack of activity.

Aunt Em's in the hospital again. She had been reluctant to leave the house for so long, but was forced to when she could no longer withstand the pain that has been plaguing her in the wee hours of the morning. The lack of sleep was disrupting her mood and appetite.

She cries silently in the chill of the night and prays fervently for a miracle. I am powerless to help her. I spout words of encouragement but it seems hollow when it is so easily spoken since I am not the sufferer.

Its been days, emotionless machines monitor her vital stats. A drip is inserted into the wrinkled flesh of her bone-thin hand. We wait...for good news to arrive.

When will we reach the T junction that gives us at least options, to proceed. The road is dimly lit? Can it get no brighter?