Malaysia night

I've been feeling nostalgic lately and thinking a lot about my younger years growing up in Malaysia. So I decided to channel my energy into cooking up a Malaysian feast. The menu was lamb khurma, chicken satay with peanut sauce, dhal, and fresh roti channai. It was quite the feat trying to get all the right spices to try and make everything as authentic as possible. Galangal, blachan, and candlenut aren't common in big supermarket chains and so I ventured to the local sri lankan food market down the street and managed to find almost everything. Whatever I couldn't find I was able to get from invading my mom's pantry. Thankfully she had the foresight to stock up during her last visit to the northeast sector of the city where most of the international grocers can be found.

I have photographed the cooking process and subsequent devouring of food and uploaded the pictures onto facebook. Check them out, http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=199938&id=713745589&l=7ad4151de1.

Television

Old television	New Television

I finally caved and purchased a brand new television. As the pictures illustrate, it was quite the jump going from my 19" tube television to a swanky 46" LCD. This might seem like a complete waste of money for someone who won't get cable and hasn't turned on her television in two years. It probably was a bit of an induglence but I am very impressed by the design and technology and so I am content with my purchase. Plus, I am really enjoying watching downloaded movies on a big screen in the comfort of my living room instead of hunched over at the computer squinting at my small monitor.

Countdown to San Francisco

I realize that 7 weeks is far too early to start a countdown but these days it's all I've got. I've been in a serious rut for months now and thinking about getting away is lifting my spirits. Besides, having something real to look forward to sure beats daydreaming about permanently escpaping to somewhere warm where somehow life is miracously perfect.

This sharp decline in attitude started in October around the same time as the first snow fall. Coincidence? I don't think so. Winter usually gets me down but this one seems to be worse. I barely get to the gym and tennis, beautiful tennis, has become a chore. My blog posts are far too infrequent and my other writing projects are collecting dust. My music goals have been temporarily shelved. The only thing that brings me joy is my nephews. Thank God for them!

It all boils down to having a bad attitude (and a vitamin D deficiency, according to my doctor). The vitamin D thing can be easily corrected and is apparently a common problem for people who live in climates that don't offer a lot of sun exposure. The bad attitude problem is going to take some work because I've always suffered from an irritating (to others) and unjustified case of negativity. I have no excuse really because I often meet people who have faced actual harships and horrible tragedies in their lives yet they have an amazing attitude. I admire that. I aspire towards that.