WHEN IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY, CELEBRATE!

Going to Mid-Valley at around mid-day, was a good choice.  Lunch, some shopping and then watch a movie – that was the game plan.

I had the opportunity to spend time with my two favourite women in my life; Jeannie, my wife; and Laura, our daughter. The both of them had taken leave from work today. It was Laura’s birthday.

The Oriental restaurant at Mid-Valley, was like all their other restaurants – crowded. We got to the restaurant just after mid-day, at slightly after a quarter past twelve. Though they have a large seating capacity, they had a long queue waiting to be seated.

The restaurant has a good queue control system, ensuring we did not have to wait too long. As we got nearer to the end of the queue in front, one of the waiters gave us the menu to browse through and make our orders through them. So, by the time we got to our table; our food order arrived shortly after that.

To me, one of the best things about this restaurant is that it is brightly lit. I mean talk about bright; this is the leader. I like to see what I am eating.😁😎

We did not have to wait too long before our food arrived. Everything looked good and tasted as good as it looked. We left soon after we finished our meal. Jeannie and Laura went to the stores they liked while I went to the ones I liked (generally). I walked quite briskly to cover more ground and to make up for my usual 10km walk that I missed out today.

I met with them about an hour later, after having covered several stores. I did more of a window-shop looksie walk. I found a couple of things that was of interest to me, including a pair of Teva sandals that has all its straps padded for a more comfortable wear experience.

Laura and Jeannie did some shopping. Laura was happy that she got some things with a good discount.

It was mid-afternoon, when we headed back to Subang Jaya. It was a hot afternoon. I suggested that we swing by at Good Ground Bakery for a thirst quencher and some of its delightful pastries. The ladies agreed.

Here we (Jeannie and I), are, with the birthday lady, Laura; seated in a nice, cozy corner, behind a brownish-red divider / wall, in the front of the bakery. Prime seating area.

Laura had a iced chocolate drink, while Jeannie and I both had Calamansi Coolers; prepared by the up and coming renowned barista in the making, Joanne. We had a slice of dark chocolate, cut into 3 equal slices by GGB’s Public Relations Specialist, Monique. Sarah, GGB’s owner; was busy in the back, working on their delightful pastries.

This picture looks kinda nice, well arranged. The chicken puff surrounded by the three equally cut pieces of cake from the slice of dark chocolate cake; the chocolate drink and the 2 calamansi coolers..

The chicken “curry” puff, was good to the last crumb. It goes well with any drink and other food you order.

This afternoon break was so refreshing, sort of having given us a renewed energy for the rest of day’s plans. We enjoyed being in the “present”. Highly recommended.😁

Picture taken: Courtesy of Monique.

We take birthdays seriously, enjoying the gift from God that has brought us to this point; and look forward to the future, from this moment onwards. Living life to the fullest!

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

and beautiful colours…

Walking back from New Apollos with Jeannie. I hear a rumble, grumble and tumble sound. I think its coming from my stomach. Hungry so soon? I thought I just had dinner a short while ago. I did. It went off again…blumbbber, gruuubller, baaroom.

Hey! That’s not coming from my stomach. It’s the sound of thunder grumbling in the distance. “Does this mean it is going to rain? Again?”, Jeannie asks?; making conversation.

We’ve not had rain for a couple of days, which was kind of a welcome; seeing that it has been raining cats & dogs, bathtubs and kitchen sinks for well over a week; causing floods in several states in Peninsula Malaysia, including Selangor. Certain parts of Subang Jaya were affected by the floods, too.

The very short walk felt kind of good since I have not been on my regular 10 kilometer walks over the past few days. Yes, it is because of the rain. I do walk in the rain…with an umbrella, if it is not too heavy; the rain, that is.

Today is the start of a long weekend. The festival of Deepavali or Diwali is on Sunday. Deepavali, means: “Row of Lights”; where light triumphs over darkness. This is a festival celebrated by Hindus. Since Deepavali falls on Sunday, Monday will be a public holiday in Malaysia. Malaysians love festivals. It can be said that we celebrate all festivals, like non-Hindus will be celebrating with our fellow Malaysian Hindus.

Hindus, as well as many non-Hindus; will be decked with colourful, traditional Hindu outfits. I like the Kurta for men, a traditional, long shirt, without a collar. I still don’t have one for myself…yet. I like one which is light coloured. Hopefully, I will get one over the next few days.

The ladies and young girls will wear the traditional saree. They come in a wide spectrum of colours and designs. The ladies definitely are spoilt for choice.

One of the nicest things about Deepavali is the display of a wide spectrum of colour. Their Rangoli (1) decor, for one; a decoration made with colourful rice. I love colours. It is one of the greatest forms of expression.

Adding the final touches, the lights; to this beautiful decoration.

Beautiful decoration, made out of colourful rice.

One of the wonderful aspects of celebrating these festivities is the wide variety of food. And Malaysians looovvvee food. All the best food chefs will be coming up with some of the most delicious food you can ever find in Malaysia. Daphne Jeyamani is one of the best chefs around. She is also the most feared…on deck of swimming pools at swimming championships. She usually is the chief referee at these championships. Feared not only by the swimmers, but by technical officials, too. A no-nonsense referee who sticks to the rules. At the end of the meets, she is the most humorous and friendliest of people around.

Daphne is a fantastic cook. And a great baker of cookies and other Indian sweets, too. Her house is an example of what goes on at all homes during Deepavali. Malaysians will be doing what Malaysians do during festivals – visiting their friends and families, sharing joy and happiness with each other.

Daphne Jeyamani with Jeannie and me at Deepavali a few years ago.

At Daphne’s house during Deepavali. The food is laid out with names labeled next to them. Very orderly. Applying her refereeing skills here.😀

We, the Atkinsons: Laura, Jeannie and Alan (me); wish all Hindus, here in Malaysia and around the world, a very Happy Deepavali.

#praga
P.S.: Looking forward to Sunday. Some people have already started the celebrations. Cool.

NOTES
1. Traditionally, Rangoli is an art of decoration and patterns drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes with colourful ground rice. It is thought to bring good luck, prosperity on the house and in the family, and to welcome guests. Some mothers in India do this activity every morning, or on a special festive occasion like Diwali, Onam, and Pongal. richlandlibrary