little miss may

F O R N .

No, it’s not a “dirty” word. Or maybe it is. “Forn” is the term coined by our angeles quite a few moons back. It’s a cross between Food + Porn, which is what it is… food porn. Brilliant, I must say.

I’ve missed a few Friday Forns, so here are 4 to make up for lost weeks!

1. Seafood indulgence at Botanical Gardens

One sunny afternoon, when the weather was still warm and balmy, we went to the fish market and bought a kilo of prawns plus half a dozen (or was it more?) of fresh Tasmanian oysters to enjoy at the Botanical Gardens. Ah yes, with a nice bottle of white to cleanse the palette, of course. We peeled and tucked into the prawns at a leisurely pace, slurping away at the wine and oysters. There were pesky birds trying to sneak up for a bite or two, but no no, all they got were waves from our hands, shoo-ing them away.

2. Ryo’s Noodles

This is THE place to go for Japanese ramen, so I’ve been told last year when I first arrived. Since then I’ve been dying to try it out and see what all the fuss was about. We got our chance a couple of weeks ago when the queue was just starting (people wait for ages outside the bright orange building for a seat; only 20 odd available at any one time).

I had the original ramen noodles in pork soup; he had the miso soup version. Yep, they really are worth the wait! Delicious to slurp down especially on a cold winter’s day or night. They had a special dish called “rice ball with roast pork” of which they made only 10 pieces a day, but we gave it a miss that night. It’s just down the road where I live; I’m pretty sure another visit will be warranted soon.

3. Homemade shepherd’s pie

I haven’t had shepherd’s pie in ages, since I left home. Had the sudden craving for one after watching an episode of Ramsey’s Kitchen where he made a really scrumptious version for an Irish family restaurant.

Looked up some recipes online, and the one I used had the highest rating by far. Lean beef cooked with onions and mixed vege in beef stock, layered with mashed carrots and potatoes, baked for another 20 minutes or so in the oven. The taste and texture - oh so YUM!

4. La Renaissance Courtyard Cafe

Dropped by this quaint and lovely patisserie at the Rocks for breakfast one Saturday morning. The apple turnover and jesuit was to faint for. They also served the most delicious assortment of cakes, all made to perfection, with exquisite flavours bursting in your mouth at every bite. They aren’t exactly cheap (about $5 for a small slice), but oh they’re so worth every cent.

Yes, definitely more forn coming soon.

After all the procrastination ever since I landed in Sydney, I finally got off my arse and went rock climbing with a few colleagues of mine yesterday morning. It was like greeting an old friend; the familiar chalky atmosphere, ropes hanging from ceiling height, shoes that squeeze your feet a full size smaller every time you put them on.

It was a good 2 hours of rediscovering what I could and couldn’t do, what I could’ve done many years ago, and where I am right now. Granted I’m definitely not as fit and strong as I used to be, I still enjoyed the challenge of each route.

And ironically… on the same week that I was finally reunited with the sport, I lost something else more precious.

I received news this morning of a friend’s passing. He was one of my old climbing buddies back in KL - strong, agile, humble, always there to encourage you on, a heart of gold - he will be dearly missed by all of us who knew him.

Rest in peace, Liong.

When your workin’ day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fuh-un
Oh, girls just wanna have fun

Naughty me.

Naughty, naughty me.

And very busy, too.

Busy working (almost the busiest I’ve ever been), busy eating, busy catching up with family, busy having girls’ nights out, busy watching movies, busy taking pictures with my new phone, busy catching up on much needed sleep, busy shopping, busy with new distractions, busy getting to know you… getting to know all about you…

delicious seafood paella; champagne on a hot sunny afternoon; the new nokia 6300; appreciation for hard work.

I do apologise for not dropping in a comment or two in all your blogs. I do read your posts but my brain refused to think and fingers refused to poke at the keys for an apt response (I’ll get there eventually, I promise). So short of time these days that whatever spare minutes I have that’s not related to work, I hog it all to myself. Well, almost all. Some time had to be prioritised, shared, and treasured.

sydney rock oysters; belated yue sang; table number at a cafe.

I think I’m finally, finally giving the present, the here, the now, a chance. To really live, to really see what this place has to offer, to take those long walks, and drink it all in. It might alienate me from the blogging world for awhile, but I think — and do forgive me for this — it’s worth investing the effort.

Time to leave the past behind, maybe?

Yes… I think so too.

I know a very nice person
Who’s birthday is today-o
T-O-D-A-Y
T-O-D-A-Y
T-O-D-A-Y
Who’s birthday is today-o!

Yup, no prizes for guessing who’s birthday it is today…

It’s none other than the Emperor LB’s! Three cheers are in order - hip hip hip… HOORAY!

It might be an overdose having Hoops and Yoyo sending you birthday wishes twice — both in card and online — but hey, just can’t help lovin’ these critters, yeah? Remember that first e-card? That was so hilarious! Can tahan one more or not? Or three?