Food for thought

To be independent and take things to your own hands? OR
To be a baby and allow everyone else to handle things on your behalf?

The simple life versus the not so simple life? (if given the chance...)

Have a thought.

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The Coliseum

This is not about the one in Rome. This is about the one right in the middle of KL city.

"You youngsters won't know this place. It was a very famous dining area in the 50's and 60's."
"Awww...c'mon dad. Look around. There are youngsters on each table. Look!"
"Yea. And haven't you noticed? They are accompanied by someone elderly. They didn't come in themselves. They were introduced to this place. Just like how I brought you here."

And dad had been so right. Who would have thought that this place was once the Tony Roma's in its heydays?

The Coliseum Cafe and Hotel. Along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Western cuisine. Much remembered for their sizzling serloin steaks. Their steaks still sizzles. Trust me.

Built in 1921, the building and its interior bears the British architecture and furnishings. Spacious tables and walk ways. Arm chairs. Leisure area. Bars. Although there were certain modifcations made to the place through the passage of time, but the aura of colonialisation is still evident from the moment you step in.

Dad fondly remembers the times when the late Tuanku Abdul Rahman used to dine in with his various ministers. The taste of their signature sizzling serloin steaks and their jam and toast still resides in his memory. He related the stories where the elderly used to work as waiters and that it felt weird to have the old serve the young with their trembling hands.

Amist the mid afternoon heat, it was a pleasant sight to see a group of my dad's peers having a couple of beers in their hands while reminiscing about the past. It was a healthy mix of Chinese, Indians and Europeans, with soars of laughters and friendly pats.

We might not be able to 'read' the tales that this place has to tell. For we have not lived in the era of its glory. But for those who have, this place holds indescribable memories. Memories that would soon be lost in time.

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Parental tips

"You must never do things at the last minute."
"Always plan, get ready and anticipate all circumstances."

"Yes, mum."

10 more days to go and counting................

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Destiny awaits

Do you believe in fate?
Do you believe that every occurence was meant to be?
Do you believe that from the moment you were born, your entire life has been mapped out?

They say, we are all being toy-ed by a higher order. An unseen force which lays out the rules of the game. And isn't life, a game for many? There are numerous ways to find out. And there are quite a few who could tell you so. Through date of births, through the position of stars and planets, through the fine lines on your palms, through the features on your faces.

Have you wondered why you were born a peasant instead of a royalty?
Have you wondered why you were diagnosed with cancer instead of him?
Have you wondered why do you came from a broken family instead of your best friend?
Have you wondered why did you meet the friends you met instead of others?
Have you wondered why do you have a roof over your head while some spend the night on the streets?

I have been told that all has been arranged. It cannot be undone. Although I am not a religious person but I must admit that there are certain events that neither I, nor even others can explain. It became a fact to accept. Whether you choose to believe it or not. 

It is this sense of curiosity that keeps us going. To see what else is in store for us. For better or for worse. And to continue the game.

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Those plastic baggies

It is those plastic baggies. Those you use to carry your grocery items from the hypermarket.

I have been in favour of the use of such baggies. It is a convenient way of transporting the 'tonnes' of items you bought back home. I don't even mind recycling and using them the next time around if I had to. But, to not use them at all,  it is something that I can't do without.

Two days ago, at this nearby hypermarket, I accompanied mum on her usual shopping for household items. You know, dish washers, hand towels, cooking oil, detergents, some snacks etc. It was around 20 items. By the time we pushed the trolley away from the payment counter, we had close to 10 plastic baggies inside. The cashier packed only 2 items in each plastic bags. And our items were not big in sizes.

Mum came out mumbling, "What a waste! Didn't they train their employees on cost savings?". Either they were not trained or they were just plain ignorant.

So much for the awareness on reducing plastic waste.

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Tik tok tik tok

Youth.

It is the one thing that many people are eager to get their hands on. The younger ones wanted to fast forward time and grow up sooner to enjoy the freedom it holds. The elder ones wanted to turn back time and return to the days when they were wild and free. But what about the ones already in that particular age bracket? The very ones aged from 18 to 30? The same ones termed as young?

Are the young people having fun as they should be? Are they enjoying their youth as depicted? It is of no doubt that being young does have it advantages. It is a blessing to be able to reach this stage. You got the looks. You got the health. You got time. You got the freedom. You got the confidence. You got to be a little reckless and someone would be there to cover things up for you. And unless you were born with a silver spoon, the only thing that you don't have is wealth.

There is just so much to do. So much to see. And yet, certain people just didn't know how to capitalise on their youth. They decided to let time slip pass and throw it all away. Of course, I do not have the right to tell you what you should do with your life. But some people just don't realise what they would be missing. Well, time doesn't move backwards, you know that, no matter how you wish that it would.

I have seen some who live theirs to the fullest. They work hard, and they play hard. They build their careers. They go for adventures. They get their hands on new skills. The try out relationships. They splurge to reward themselves. They save enough for stormy days up ahead. By the time they are out of their youth, they would have a few accolades under their belts to be proud of.

There are also some who thinks that it's not such big of a deal. "So what? It's just another phase in life." Those who have given up. Or those without purpose. Or those who turn a blind eye. They would rather play computer games at home. They would rather sacrifice education. They would rather do drugs and crimes. They would rather be controlled by someone else and forgo themselves. They would rather be married and have kids. C'mon!

Youth.

It doesn't always come your way. You've only got that 10 years or so. Don't let yourself regret that you didn't go skiing on the Alps after you were contracted with arthritis. Don't let yourself regret that you didn't take up that promising job offer just because your spouse told you not to. Don't let yourself regret that you didn't listen to your heart and let others decide for you. Don't let yourself regret that you discontinued your studies and married some guy only to run into a divorce. Yes. People do make mistakes. Just be certain that you do not regret the mistakes you made.

The clock is ticking. Only a few more years left. There is still time to make a new start. There is still time to catch up. There is still time to continue. The choice is yours to make.....

Youth. What is your take on that?

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Basking in laziness

Slouching on couches, with 'Glee' in tow.
Afternoon shoppings with my girls.
Catching ups at Starbucks.
Half a day at the hairdresser's.
A copy of Cleo with a cup of hot choc.
Grocery shoppings with mum.
Farmville on Facebook.
Another half a day at the beauty parlour.

Now this is what I call living life!

(It's only temporary. There's no need to be jealous...)

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