Funny how it takes one simple app like Socialmoth to make you realise however terrible you think things are, there’s much much worse out there. Am not talking about the state of the world, but something closer to heart.. emotions. Of the nail-biting variety. Life getting you down? Someone’s thinking of jumping off the 20th floor. Too busy with work? So is everyone else. Boyf let you down? Someone’s living a lifetime of hate. Spending 10 minutes reading new posts is probably better than retail therapy.. but that’s just me.

Had the strangest dream in a while. Woke up checking my wrists to make sure they were still there. Dreamt about an insect bite gone wrong that turned into a huge bubble of pus that exploded green goo before the entire layer of skin opened up to reveal an unimaginable growth and then some. Kept thinking I need to get some antiseptic on that except I was too busy, and said flap of skin started drying up around the edges, and people wanted to see it so it went open, close, open, close before I woke myself up. Gross.

Weekend turned out good nevertheless, had crazy laughing fits, fabulous tom yam and a pedicure. Watched Hot Fuzz which reaffirmed my love for sarky Brit humour. Watched Evan Almighty which did nothing for my opinion of American humour. And I finally got myself a haircut. Didn’t recognise the stranger in the mirror the next morning when I saw her, hair sticking up all over the place. Perils of giving stylist free reign. Living randomly is intriguing but the hangover from massive wine session probably didn’t help; oh wait that was from the night before. I have a fringe. What day is it again today?

I grew up an only child being taught not to get too attached to things, material or otherwise. It was almost too easy. In rebellion during my teens I went the other direction, choosing to live for things, moments and people. Most of that has not changed, but like cycling a deep-seeded part of me has not forgotten how to detach, and in some situations I do it almost sub-consciously. Like now.

The only thing that’s stopping me from walking away is a current lack of need to move on from things I have already detached from. So I go about it almost reactively, with the acquiescent air of a servant, unsure as to where the last vestiges of my former pro activeness has bled to; still occasionally putting up a meek objection here and there but this time happy to let someone else stand in the limelight where I’d have previously attempted to stand ground.

I kinda miss the old Steph.

While in Melbourne, Tony cooked up an amazing steak with seaweed butter. However like a true chef one does not reveal secrets of the trade. After much, much pestering he gave in however.. family secret will stay secret I promise! So after receiving that email I went in search of ingredients. Luckily it wasn’t overly exotic, Jusco stocks specialty Japanese groceries, and I found myself rushing home from work to whip up some of my own. There really is nothing like getting busy in the kitchen to get over a bad day at work. Damn butter tastes too good.

Coincidentally I bought a whole eye fillet back from Melbourne that’s been sitting in 2″ cuts in the freezer - so am now looking forward to cooking steak on Thursday to kick off the long weekend. Need to buy some potatoes, pumpkin, chives and roquette tomorrow! And plan dessert.

Mom is officially retired. On Saturday night we had a dinner with all her colleagues at Sudu in Hilton Sentral. I must say the starter/appetiser/dessert buffet is worth going for. Particularly enjoyed making my own salad - ceasar, the works with anchovies and a dash of mango oil topped off with thick Spanish sweet vinegar. Disappointed there was no blue cheese at the cheese selection but was decent enough, liked the Camembert and Brie and there was a decent sashimi/sushi bar. Also fresh seafood, crabs and the like, oysters with a self-concocted vinaigrette (oils, vinegar and mustard stolen from salad bar.. plenty to choose from) and anchoviar. Dessert section boasts Mövenpick ice cream, fresh fruit, a ton of pastries and lollies for kids. Vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, almonds (stolen from cheese section), raspberry coulis was excellent. In fact I had so much fun putting stuff together (and eventually eating) that I had no room for my main of beef rendang and rice with mango chutney when it arrived. Anyway, my mom, I think she’s a tad relieved not to be working anymore after being in the same place for 36 years. Talk about loyal. Am excited now that she has plenty of time we’ll be able to spend more time together.

In the meantime going to dig into my Les Halles cookbook to see what I can do for Friday’s dinner.

Haven’t really had time to write a proper post since I got back. Had lunch with EE the other day and he says it seems like I’m always traveling because I tend to post more when I’m out of the country. Kind of true; work keeps me quite busy and I hardly have the luxury of a stress-free evening at home to sit down, do nothing and blog. Have been cutting down on WoW time also. But although busy, work has been getting more interesting of late. I’m finally getting to spend more time on things I am supposed to do instead of picking up slack because there is now a full team in place and the people are awesome. Just need to mentally get used to it now. But am hyped up about new projects.

A bunch of new F&B places have opened up at work. About time. I am so sick of eating the same things for lunch although I will probably get sick of these new places soon at the rate I’m going.

D*lish is a concept gourmet fast food place that just opened next to Starbucks. The shop front is extremely inaccessible and interior feels a tad unwelcoming although I suspect the natural beech touches and low key lighting are to convey the exact opposite. There are two small entrances at the side and having the whole front closed up with glass shutters feels very hostile indeed. Especially for people who opt to sit outside, it’s like ‘we don’t really want you here’. They also need to let people know that they’re not a table service joint, because the old outlet there was one and I see a lot of people sit around waiting for non-existent waiters to arrive with menus. That aside, the food’s not too shabby; I highly question the muffins sitting on the counters at face level fully exposed though. And today my pasta was undercooked and fresh orange juice (label says ‘we viciously squeeze every drop of juice from the fruit till there’s nothing left.. it’s almost scary’) is NOT fresh and has preservatives.. on contrary to what label implies. Sandwiches are nice, and I have yet to try the soups and salads (though salads are tossed upon order which is nice) and although there is much room for improvement at least there is a deli-type place within walking distance now. Eating here is a tad pricey though, given the level of service and portion sizes.

[Sidetracking about OJ - very disappointed that a ‘gourmet’ joint does not understand the importance of freshly squeezed OJ. In fact many places here have ‘freshly squeezed’ on the menu but it is almost never the case. Sorry I’m spoilt with the luxury of freshly squeezed juices at home in the morning and I expect freshly squeezed to have just left the fruit not more than 10 minutes before serving if that’s what it says on the menu. And obviously without preservatives. Otherwise DON’T CLAIM IT TO BE SO.]

Seed Cafe is an extension of the clothing label and pretty much the same as the other one in One Utama. Food is above average so far but unfortunately the service is slow during peak hours and waiters apologise profusely about how long the food will take when taking orders which is a tad amusing. Prices are decent (RM15 for mains) and I like the food presentation. Important to note their mushroom soup does not come from a can, tom yam is not made from scratch but green curry is authentic. Decor is nice and clean and stylish, and apart from slow service I really dig this place. Except they need to have a delivery service to the offices.. haha.

Red Ginger is a modern interpretation of the old-style kopitiams. Interior is familiar and the menu is interesting. They have very good fried rice dishes and an excellent pomelo lime drink that I can’t get enough of. Decently priced and good service. I love almost everything on the menu except the fact that some dishes are quite unhealthy (a lot of oil especially in fried rice/noodle dishes) otherwise I would eat there every day. Well, almost. Oh, and they have good otak-otak. Prawn noodle specialty is awesome but ridiculous at RM27.

Prince Cafe replaces Ka Soh at the corner of the Boulevard Offices. I haven’t been there and I don’t think I will. 1 - Their menu mirrors that of Kim Gary. 2 - It has a bright apple green signages, random decor and tacky flooring which when packaged together tells me there is zero emphasis on the quality and consistency of the food. 3 - I don’t trust any place that serves food that is named after The man formerly known as Prince. I’m not kidding. 4 - Reports from colleagues who have been there have persuaded me otherwise.

And finally.. Toast Box. Tucked in a little corner next to San Fran Coffee and hot on the heels of the popularity of Killenney’s. Am glad someone finally figured out that many surrounding offices = many hungry people in the morning and the mamak just don’t cut it. And this mall has a knack of creating new spaces where there were none before. Much like KL city town planning. Great, fast service (as expected) and standard breakfast/light meals menu. Nothing spectacular but always nice to have another place for toast takeaways. Bless.

Starbucks needs to hurry up with their renovations!

During the trip we took a day off from the city and drove around Yarra Valley and traipsed around some wineries and had lunch at the gorgeous Tarra Warra estates. Props to Zee who refrained from drinking so we alcos could get our fill!

It’s only been week and I’ve already cracked open one of the two bottles of Peter Lehmann’s 2006 Botrytis Semillon that I brought back. I just adore this stuff! I wish I brought back more since they don’t sell this stuff here. I especially liked one particular one from the Oakridge Estate which we visited during our wine tour - the 864 Riesling. At $50 a bottle it is a tad pricey but worth every cent! No, they don’t export

I used to drink a lot of reds when I was younger before they started to give me terrible hangovers and the occasional headache then I started appreciating whites for more than the fact that they don’t make me feel terrible after too many but stickies are just awesome. I’d save the muscats for very casual occasions though.

Here are some pictures from that day.

Finally going through the pics from my trip. This is our last dinner in Melbourne before we came back. Awesome stuff; now if only all home-cooked dinners were like this! Or maybe not - I need to be less a blimp now! Uncle Tony & Terry are awesome, what can I say.. lucky us.. thanks for an awesome time and being the best hosts ever! Fark, I wish I wasn’t back now that I’m going through these pics again..

Chocolate, random photos and good company; not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning especially when the skies are a pretty azure. And of course, here was the real impetus:

Berry Fiesta @ San Churros

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had more time here; Sydney is my muse.

There’s nothing like walking up to a bar and ordering a Caprioska that’s delivered in textbook exactments or four, then huddling outside on the pavement for a smoke and giggle while your other pool-hustling friends watch over your drinks. Not a bad way to spend an evening at all.