Today is a very special day.

It’s twelve minutes past two in the morning, and I just made supper. It’s not just any supper. It’s something that I’ve now decided to name, the Inari Europa – a proud creation of a very successful scavenging hunt in the kitchen.

Moments earlier…

1.30am

With my crazy out-of-bed hair, I stepped into the kitchen with a mission- “Find food, make food, eat food”. Why will I even have crazy out-of-bed hair? It’s because I just woke up from a five hour sleep and a lot might’ve happened unknowingly during my sleep.  It’s not that it’s important for you to know, but still, the hair’s crazy. Also, you may be curious about my weird sleeping behavior, but then again you may not. So I will just leave it there and continue with the story.

1.35am

Target sighted at 11 o’clock on the first shelf of my fridge- a glorious half packet of Knorr’s Milanese risotto. Satisfied with my find, I proceeded to scavenge for other possible accompaniment.

1.40am

The tedious process of risotto cooking commenced. Unknowingly, I have already stirred in bits of porcini mushrooms, slices of jamon iberico, a few sprinkles of parmesan and a few shakes of another kind of cheese (romano).

1.48am

While waiting for the risotto to slowly cook, I unintentionally stirred in more stuff like splashes of Riesling and a few more splashes of another kind of white wine into the mix. It’s bubbling nicely now, but still, nowhere near ready.

1.50am

Fellow housemate stepped into the kitchen. In that instant, he was stunned, he was dumfounded, he stuttered. He then regained his composure and sang the song of praises as his soul was enraptured by the glorious aroma emitting from the humble frying pan of mine. I felt embarrased to be caught cooking something so sinful in the middle of the night. But then again, my body clock resides on a different timezone than the one that I am physically on. So I guess, I shouldn’t be embarrassed at all. I’m a poor little jet-lagged lady. I am.

1.55am

In the freezer, I found some deep fried tofu pouch (aburage), the ones that you can make inarizushi with.

Coincidentally, I happen to have some nutmeg sprinkles, onion sprinkles and parsley sprinkles on hand. “More doesn’t necessarily mean better!” as my hubs, the ever level-headed one, would say. But the mad scientist in me hollered, “To hell with it!!”

So, to hell with it! This is my dafuqin Inari Europa, the midnight snack of Gods.

Thank you for reading. It was a pleasure to have you scrolling through this post but hopefully you’re not drooling on your keyboard.

—

Some kinda etymology:

Inari Europa: An inarizushi variation with ingredients mainly sourced from the European continent. Through multiple levels of complex associations with the Shinto god, Inari and the very atas Phoenician woman named Europa from the Greek mythology, Inari Europa has came to be known as the midnight snack of gods, not just because of its nice aroma, good looks and great taste.

A little over a fortnight ago, Mr dw and I became MR & MRS! We had our marriage registered at the National Registration Department (JPN) in Sri Hartamas. I never thought it would be so much fun! Well, most of the fun part came from our wonderful solemnizer! The whole ceremony was conducted in a way that was heartwarmingly sweet and yet fun at the same time. We were so lucky and thankful to have such a memorable ROM experience. So, if you intend to register your marriage anytime soon and you happen to be living in KL, I would highly recommend that you get yours done here!

We got up bright and early on a Wednesday morning and made our way to Sri Hartamas. That’s us submitting our documents and forms for verification at the counter before we were ushered into the event hall.

Fern, my maid of honor was sweet enough to get us this very lovely, color popping bridal bouquet that matches my shoes and nails.

The event hall was beautifully decorated with lots of tulle, ribbons and flowers. Everything looks so pretty and dreamy in here. There’s our solemnizer on the right! He must have the best job in the world, marrying couples and giving them experiences that they will never forget. Look at me, I was laughing so much that Mr dw had to shush me. Haha. “Oi, stop laughing la!” How could I, really, how could I? This is probably the happiest day of my life!

“Shall we begin our journey of life together?”

“Yes!”

“Well, let’s seal the deal, then!”

*scribbles scribbles*

“I now pronounce you…Husband and Wife!”

Mr dw is now my husband. My husband. I still find my self saying “my boyf- er, husband!” sometimes.

“From today onwards, you will have to wash all of my daughter’s underwear.”

Okay. Okay. My dad didn’t say anything like that at all. I was just trying to be funny. I have a washing machine at home. Really.

My wonderful friends, Chyi and Fern, who managed to find time to pop by on a weekday morning (on short notice!) to provide some moral support. Thank you!

“And thus, with this ring, our journey of life begins.”

Yes. Months ago, on the first day of the first month of the twelfth year of the 21st century, I’d said ‘yes’ to the boy who would soon become my man. Saying ‘yes’ had started the ball rolling for another thing called wedding planning which would then branch out into ten thousand other things. Things like securing a venue, getting a gown, sourcing for decors, sorting through the guest lists, deciding on the wedding favors and then there’s the cake thing! (Ouhh…what flavor should I pick?)  I used to wonder why marriage has a high ranking in the Holmes and Rahe stress scale. How stressful can marriage be? Now I know.

Spring flowers of London

But I guess that’s okay, as I have found something else to distract myself with.

Cousin baked me a 'wedding' cake

Instagram has just became available on android.

Day out with the soon-to-be man

So, guess who’s gone crazy creating collages like these and uploading them all to Instagram?

Thai food at Basil Inn, Downtown East

It has got to be @lizzywei. <– Follow this user to make her happy. :)

Seriously, Ikea, vegetable soft toys? I never knew broccoli could look this cute. :) These will definitely be a good addition to my soft toy kingdom. :D

Lili and I on board the French Connection bus to Akaroa

You probably won’t be interested to know that this is the second time within a month that I am almost down with the flu. (Almost, because it’s not flu-blown, uh, I mean, full blown.) Flying back and forth between winter and tropical countries is so not cool. It’s worse when you thought you’re heading to somewhere sunny and suddenly, when you’re there, the sun went hiding behind those thick, grey, sad looking clouds and you realized that you are all decked out in summer attire whereas everyone else are warmly dressed.

Had to wear my pj's over my sundress! *shy*

You see, I was heading towards Christchurch a few days before 2011 ended. I briefly look through the weather forecast (temperature was in the teens) and naively thought I probably wouldn’t need warm clothes. Whatever I read on the forecast mysteriously got overwritten in my brain as sunshine and butterflies. I have no idea how that happened. It was probably because Fern said she was going to bring me to swim with the dolphins, so I packed all my sundresses and a straw hat, too. 8)

…only to be slammed by the cruel reality, when I stepped out of my room. Brr. I dashed back into my room and reemerged with the warmest piece of clothing that I have – my long sleeved black pj top. Oh, well.

How do I get to the stream, sir?

It took us a little less than two hours to reach Akaroa, which is located just 75km away from the city of Christchurch. It’s a scenic little town, with colonial architectures that reminds me fondly of Cameron Highlands. As Fern was not quite ready to meet up with us just yet, Li li and I took a stroll along the shoreline in search of a stream that I sighted while we were on the bus.

The B&B by the stream. Can you spot the bungee jumping doll?

After a bit of a walk, a lot of photos, and a lot of ooh’s and aah’s at the magnificent view that greeted us, we finally found the stream. Li li didn’t really understand why I had to look for this stream. She didn’t know that it was my ultimate dream to have a little cottage over a stream with a bungee jumping doll tied to it. ;)

Yummy fish and chips with massive wrapper

At about noon, we finally met up with Fern who brought along her traveling buddy Claudius. We had fish and chips for lunch, something highly recommended by Fern and the locals. It was yums. :)

Fernie and me with a poster of the Hector dolphin!

Right after lunch, we headed over to the harbor and prepared ourselves for the swim with the Hector dolphins. These dolphins are one of the smallest dolphins and can only be found in New Zealand. They are extremely rare and was listed as threatened species in 1999. What’s interesting about these dolphins is that they have rounded dorsal fins. Yeah, you definitely won’t get a shark scare while they are surfacing to breathe.

All set and ready to go!

We’re all geared up in our wet suits and ready to board the boat. As the water wasn’t expected to be too cold, we were only given wet suits and not dry suits. The boat ride out to the ocean was shivering cold, with the wind blowing and the cold air blasting on your face. I don’t think I want to swim with the dolphins anymore!! Our guide told us the water temperature would be at about 10°c. *gasp*

Li li and one of the swimmer's na na - Our photographers of the day!

Once our guide had determined a good location for swimming, the engines of the boat were turned off,  a flag was raised and pool’s open! Off into the cold water we go. *splash!*

The yellow tube is a flotation device which could double up as a squeaky noise maker to attract the dolphins

We were given goggles and snorkels but were told that the water around the area wouldn’t be clear enough for us to see underwater. Then what were the snorkels and goggles for? To attract the dolphins, of course. We were told to sing, to tap, to blow bubbles to attract the dolphins. So Claudius went singing and whistling away, using his snorkel as his microphone. While Claudius was singing away, I heard someone panting as though he had just run a marathon. I turned around to look and then I see them!

Two hector dolphins were swimming towards us and surfaced to breathe! It felt so amazing to be in the waters and in such close proximity with the dolphins. I wish I could give them a pet, but we were told that they have skin as delicate as those beneath our eye. So, we weren’t allowed to pet them, no matter how close they were swimming around us, for fear that we might accidentally scratch and damage their skin.

After about half an hour, it’s time for us to get out of the waters. We had hot water to shower ourselves with on the boat and a cup of hot chocolate after that before heading back to shore. Thanks Fern, for bringing us here and thank you Li Li for the company and for taking so many wonderful shots. :D

p/s: Someone sent me postcards from the sea! :) I never knew an underwater post office exists! ❤

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 This is how much I miss the mamak stalls back home.

I have such intense cravings for roti canai that I went out to the supermarket and got myself some pre-made frozen roti.

The best part is: it comes with curry. Fish curry. My favorite. But that tiny little packet will never suffice.

So I went around looking for the most instant form of curry available for purchase and I found this! All I need to do is just add water, milk (I used soy) and vegetables!! Sweet! I added some eggplants, okras, tomatoes and potatoes. I didn’t put in any meat though, as I was on a vegetarian diet that day.

While the curry was simmering away, I fired up a pan, melted some butter onto it and pan fried each side of the roti until it’s golden brown. The last and very important step in making the authentic roti is to puff it up to make it flaky and nice! Well, I attempted to puff it up the mamak way but I ended up creating such a mess, with crumbs and flakes all over the place!

But it was all good and yummy. I’m happily sated. :) 

Today, I present you, the edible ivory, the royal vegetable- the white asparagus! I got some of these while I was traveling in Germany. These special variety of asparagus are said to be less bitter and way more tender than its greener counterpart. I’d peeled and steamed the white asparagus with lemon & chicken broth with shaved parmiggiano reggiano. They really are more tender, and are especially yummy with the lemon & chicken broth! Joy! ♡

A newly purchased bag to go with my very glamorous teddy charm! :) Sweet teddy has a home now.

p/s: 15% off + full VAT refund on the bag.

So, I’m just gonna stay in and have a cup of hot chocolate, some wagon wheels and soak in the beautiful view of the South African springtime.

Don’t you just love the color of the trees? They’re in such a beautiful shade of lilac.

Too romantic.

Delightful.