Mare E Tara.

It was just a simple Valentine's dinner, just the three of us. Yeap.... there's no way we could leave the little tot behind anymore nowadays tho we thought the older he gets, the more time we could steal away from him.

Pizza Bella Italia has been in SS2 for more than 10 years,my then insurance agent would take me there to inform me of the latest investment stuff and introduced me to Mare E Tara. Oouugghhh... that gorrrrgeous seafood in spicy zingy tomato soup.

I always thought any restaurateur would not part from their recipes.

'By annnyy chance, you'd tell me the recipe of this soup plleasseee!'

'Oh.... of COUURSEEEE! Give me a minute' Adam was signalling his normal Italian sign, making an 'o' shape using the index finger and thumb.

Later he came back with a piece of paper in his hand.

It goes like this:

Chop llloots of garlic, finely

Use olive oil or butter... but NO palm oil, NO NO! The smella different!

Saute garlic in oil until the smell comes out, not until brown. Just saute.

Then add water, add crab. Let it boil. We don't have time to make stocks, this issa shortcut.

Use tomato puree and chopped tomato, add puree in crab soup first and then salt.

Add some La La, fresh La La, you can only find in Selayang market aaaa.

Prawn.

When soup is boiling, add paprika. If I cook at home, I will also add lime leafs.

Then finally, add chopped tomato, if too cooked it is not crunchy anymore!

I tell yah, Italians are always fierce when they share their cooking intelligence.

Now... I'm thinking when could be the right time and who's the right people for me to treat this gorgeous soup for.

When Loneliness is Bliss.

I could not really count how many people around me who are actually a peacemaker... or at least... MY peacemaker.

People say... to retreat or to mengalah is always the best way to win.

... or in other means... just keep silent and find solace from within.

I keep reflecting a life changing dream I had just before I turned 30.

I was walking in a very spacious house that has such a well grown in door garden.

I was spending quiet time watching the green that is separated from the hall by floor to ceiling well cleaned glass.

I could hear the family moving about minding their own things yet it didn't distract my pondering.

Then I attempted to walk to another indoor garden patch.

...... then I felt something sharp hitting my chest. It came from within.

In a minute, I fell on the floor.

...... immediately I felt myself gliding in mid air. I had soft white linen dress covering my body and it is such a comfortable outfit.

Small commotion going on where I fell, I looked at myself and rested myself again on the sofa where I started and continued pondering at the garden.

My body was then lifted from the floor and I heard people weeping, crying.

Until today I remember that dream so vividly.

The feeling of leaving this life isn't all that bad. I could feel the intense feeling of serenity the mind is so free and peaceful.

It was so real.

When I woke up, I wondered if it meant of any awakening, or a renewal.

_____________

Everytime I felt hostility, which is what this world is so full of, I would take myself into that dream again. Where loneliness is bliss. So I would be able to break a smile and face this world.

Amer.... my loyal companion. Throughout the weekend, he would sit peacefully beside me when we go out.

We were attempting to go to One Utama on a weekend when everybody's trying to do their last minute Chinese New Year shopping.

I was hoping I didn't have to search too long and make Amer all giddy.

I thought I'd stop on a lane and just wait for someone to leave, and kept reminding Amer, 'kita dah nak sampai'.

Suddenly where was a knock on my right screen.

A Chinese man with a bright smile signalling to me that he's moving his X4 out and that I should move backwards to take over the spot.

I was so happy, in five minutes we got a spot right beside the lift when outside.... the cars are parked all the way within the housing area.

Then that man, came back and said "Ma'am, give me awhile, I'm getting my parking fee done first ok." I said thank you profusely.

Later, he drove out and waved very respectfully.

I felt like it didn't matter if I needed to browse the mall with Amer anymore.

A little kindness mend a little something within me.

We were both running around the New Wing indoor garden while Amer strutts around to see all the fish he wants. I guess this is his time to feel a little of what I felt in my dream; freedom!