Company celebrations

CHRISTMAS BREAKUP LUNCH - spit roasts of lamb and chicken, also butter chicken, pilaf pulao, and veg kurma.

Dinner at Jess's

Last week we got invited to Jess's new home for dinner. And her family was here visiting her from KL. We were impressed with this cakes stand.

THERE IS A WAY OUT .....

EVERY ONE KNOWS SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU ..... 

I HAVE BEEN HOUNDED by SM, my mom and my big bro for years; that I should quit, I must quit. I know all the theories behind the dangers smoking causes to my health and well being. I have tried quitting at least 3 times in the past using nicorette chewing gum and patches to no avail. Cold turkey did not help either because I had no will power to quit on my own volition.

Tuesday 04/12/13 was a milestone day for me, that day I went on my first day of taking Champix. Two of my colleagues in 2013 had used Champix and are now fag-free. I want to kick the habit. From research I know that nicotine from smoking causes the release of a feel-good chemical in the brain (called dopamine; the same reason you feel good after cocaine, heroin, sex, or having sugar). Unfortunately, it’s only temporary and the body processes nicotine so quickly that the effect wears off. To get that ‘feel-good’ feeling back one has to smoke another… and another… until the only way to feel ‘normal’ is with nicotine constantly in your system.

Champix is based on a plant extract, which is found in a variety of plants including the Golden Rain tree and the Kowhai tree in New Zealand. It doesn’t contain nicotine and isn’t addictive. It’s designed to do two things:

1. Help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms that happen when you give up smoking.
2. Block the effect of nicotine - so if you do smoke while on Champix, you may get reduced feelings of satisfaction and not enjoy it as much. This can help remind you why you are stopping and reduce the desire to have another cigarette in the future.

Champix is only available on prescription from a doctor. I bought my first 30-day supply of Champix almost a year ago on 29/12/12. But I never did start it until now. Because this drug in on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) I only paid $35.40 instead of $103.25. The game plan is to complete my first 30 days on Champix and continue taking it for the next 2 months thereafter. Hopefully I am not one of the 30% of people who may suffer varying degree of side effects such as dizziness, stomach or bowel problems (e.g. constipation, gas, dry mouth, vomiting, indigestion), headache, sleeping problems, unusual dreams, feeling tired, increased appetite and changes in taste; or in extremely cases, depression.  

16/12/13 I am on my day 14 Champix. So far I have mixed result - daytime I still rely on my fags for dopamine but at night time my urge is very much reduced. I am taking 1mg each for day and night. I am putting it down to work stress during the day is heightened but night time there is basically no stress. I am keeping it going for the next two weeks and hopefully I can get better result.

Christmas Eve - Today's my day 22 on Champix. I have been off smokes since Sunday 5pm, Yipee. So that's officially more than 53 hours ago. I have been tempted to light one more than once, but I keep myself busy doing something; eat an apple, have a drink of water, chew a gum, talk to someone, just do something. That has helped me to, after a few minutes, get away from re-committing the habit. Will it work again in coming days and weeks, I don't know. I hope so.

03/02/14 I have been off smokes for 39 days. 39 days, wow. I am astonished within me that I could last that long. I still have 3 more weeks' Champix to go. There have been days when i feel like a fag but the thought or desire goes off when I do not entertain it.

My Old Man

I TOOK MY DAD TO DR LEE'S for a consultation today. Mom went for an extended walk/exercise with Big Bro and SM was busy baking away at home. Just dad and I, on a Sunday morning. 

I took him for lunch on Sydney Road after, found Uleg, parked my truck at the nearby Woolies, and walked across the road with him to the restaurant. I ordered him an ikan bakar sambal and I a nasi rendang. He tried a piece of my rendang and liked it. He only ate half the amount of rice that was served but finished the fish, and some pickled vege. He enjoyed the es cendol I ordered for him whilst I was quietly sipping my kopi cap keretapi with condensed milk.

I am lucky my dad is still around; many friends no longer have their chance to eat and talk with their fathers. My dad is old, frail, and sometimes hard of hearing, many a time loses his short term memory .... but I know he loves me, loves us all, and cares for our well-being; as we, him. When I told him I did not think he could travel to Singapore and Ipoh in March because mom is just not fit to travel, I know he's disappointed. I know he feels trapped and immobile because of his old age. I know he still enjoys being in Ipoh. I hope he gets over the idea but it will be very difficult for him to accept the truth ....

 

Food Trouble

LOOKING FOR FOOD THAT SUITS our palette ranks as one of the toughest jobs I do. We like Japanese food but it's not easy finding one near our home. The best we have had is at the acclaimed Shira Nui but we had been turned away a few times because we did not have a booking.

Friday night we ronda ronda and could not decide on a restaurant to eat our dinner. Out of the blue we went to Kingsway, parked my truck, and walked into Yokohama in city walk. We walked past this restaurant often but never had the urge to eat Japanese. Tonight, we were in luck; we got in, grabbed a table and instantly felt comfortable that the menu was promising.  SM is a rice-person so she gravitated towards a tempura bento whilst I a Jap curry rice with pork. She's also an Inari and Nigri person so she got what she desired. Turned out it was a pleasant meal. Not great but a lot better than others we have had.

VW from the old world

I THINK THIS VW KOMBI VAN is beautiful .....

It's a 1976 Yellow/White Auto Campervan, showing 84,073 KM.
It was a barn find and according to the Registration label, it's showing that it was last registered in 1992!

It appears to be very original still having the original cabinetry fitted as well as having the matching engine number in the vehicle as listed on the old Rego label.

It is in excellent condition for its age, very original and it drives exceptionally well. The seller, VOLKSWORLD, is asking $27,990 all up for this van, which includes the cost for: REGO (approximately $750), RWC (approximately $500-1000) & GST ($2799). These costs add up to about $4500.