Brown rice I simply love
Had a sudden craving for something spicy, sour and fiery! Tom yum soup. Surfed the web and found. Diligently wrote down. A pot of nutritious stock. Sour lime excite the salivary glands. Subtle fragrant of the kaffir leaves and coriander sents the palate wild with anticipation. Tangy lemongrass, red tomatoes and exotic blue ginger add zest, piquancy of Tom yum.. A packet of spicy tom yum paste and chilli padi raises the body temperature. Fish sauce to blend all the sweet sour and spice together. Lastly fresh fish slice, prawns, squids and mushroom to makes this a fest for the senses.
When in the middle of the night the child under 4 develops a high fever or incessant coughing, any considerate mum would spent the night sponging the fever, worrying. A dose of paracetamol. Patiently wait till day break before, frantically calling the clinic for the earliest appointment. The good nurse would oblige. On arrival, there would be others waiting. At 10.30 a.m wiht baby in arm pacing around, the pediatrician has yet to arrive. The nurse, apologised. She has called. He is on the way. Probably making his round in the wards. 
Amazing how these tiny tablet could give so much relief. Relieved from the constant sneezing, the congested nose and the sleepless nights. Dead against pill popping has led to months of discomfort and a very sensitive nose. Waking up in the middle of the night sneezing and a stuffed nose, breathing through the mouth, ended with me down stairs reading at 3a.m
Last week, I had a mammogram done. A first for me. I am 2 years behind schedule. Pleading Ignorant is bliss. "It won't happen to me" thoughts calm the nerves and an excuse to put it off for another month or another year. However, only early detection can this one life be saved from the spread of this marauding savage cells.
Have been burying my nose in my Current read.
Hush no sound for there's only silence 
Things of old brings comfort and snugness. 
On a wet, rainy day, with an umbrella, I stood at the pedestrian crossing waiting. Around me, students with their colourful umbrellas and a caucasian lady. After much thought I moved forward, offering to share my umbrella with her. What she retorted next, startled me. " It's only rain. I like walking in the rain." I was stumped. The lights turned, she breezed ahead leaving me feeling silly. Now, if a compliment should be accepted graciously why can't an offer be taken gratefully?
Every so often, as the car comes to a halt at the traffic junction,a truck load of foreigner workers stops beside. These mother's precious sons, toil in under the blazing sun, working with toxic chemicals at contruction sites or at shipyards. Many coming from some of the world's most populace countries. India and China. Ironically these are the two countries, where the male offspring is the most sought after. Where female fetus are aborted or killed upon birth. Often wondered what these men's childhood had been like. Did they, like our boys here at 7, put on a neat set of uniform, spotless pair of shoes, a bag on the shoulder proudly being led to school by their parents? To seek an education. A means to crawl out of the poverty circle. What were their ambitions? When did their innocence childhood shatter? When they had to go hungry? When were they forced to leave their mother's ambit? When the grumbling tummy became unbearable?
Owls, birds of prey that hunts in the dark. Spent the day sleeping for when it's dark, that when the hunt begins. Silent and swift, from above comes the claws in one quick snatch, the scurry little rodent's life is snuffed. 
My daughter,charming coral born in the year of the oxen. Never wanted the pacifer since day one though papa tried very hard to tempt her. Partially breastfed for the 1st year of her life. Especially during the night feed. Too tired. A stroller baby as brother and sister would stroll her around the house when my hands were full. Spent most of the time in the kitchen playing with all the spice bottles, pot and pans with the kitchen cabinet wide open till the bottle of sugar spilt.
When Joyce, a SAHM gave up her 5th maid for faking a suicide in a bid to be sent home, She made up her mind. She would not be render a helpless wreck without maid. The family will just have to adjust. The morning gallon fruit juice would be ceased to be on the breakfast table. An hourly maid comes in twice a week to give the home a mop out. The car gets a wash once a week ,at her convenience, at the petrol kiosk while the hard to iron clothes gets a make over, at the laundry service, when she does her groceries. Meals? Tiffin meals on weekdays and eating out on weekends. She prepares a dish or two when she's in the mood. 
On this day we remember the children. Children, our genetic linkage to the future. In every generation there are children forgotten, abandon or deprived. Deprived of care, love and guidance. Most painful are the ones, sold as child labours or left to fend for themselves in the streets. Children not only brings joy but strengthen the family bonding. Children rejuvenate the child in us. Gives us a reason to visit the zoo, ride on the swing and play hide and seek. 
