Gratitude

Giving Thanks 2020 – Weeks Twenty-One and Twenty-Two

A number of different, yet still strange, exciting, exhausting few days.

20th May 2020

Went to Thilina’s vegetable shop! So nice to be back in a familiar space. Thilina seemed well.

chillis
No Thilina, but here are some chillis

Went to Tasty and bought ifthar treats for the next three days!

Also it was my car’s fourth anniversary 💗

Car
This was a picture I took before the trek, because I wasn’t sure if I would come back (dramatic) and if I did, if the car would still be there (quite true).

21st May 2020

Went to a slightly bigger supermarket, which was nice. And I might have found a new supermarket find! #SenisSupermarketFinds

IMG_5042
IMG_5046

22nd May 2020

Dressed up the top part of my body to facilitate some webinars.

23rd May 2020

Ate expired chocolate biscuit and didn’t die!

24th May 2020

Eid Mubarak! Cooked way too much food for Eid. It was glorious.

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A more recent picture – finally! 😂 Those who know me, know that I have a few concerns with tradition and customs, be it in what you would do during the first day of a new year or the food you cook for celebratory day or event. I’m not a rebel by nature, I like to think that I’m anything but, however, my only concern with tradition and even 'authentic' cooking (in this case) is this notion of sticking to the rules that no one can 'contact trace' (🤡) back to. And don't get me wrong – I'm all about following rules because there are consequences but traditions and customs have no such 'tangible' consequences (and no, luck doesn't count). I mean, why do we do it after all? I'm up for respecting the elderly but not certain practices that they idolise for no reason 🤷🏽‍♀️ . . So this means since I started cooking for Eid a few years ago, I decided to purposely stray away from the traditional menu we did at home – we didn't do biriyani but instead did the ghee rice, chicken/beef, kaliya (brinjal and eggplant mix), green peas, potatoes and salad – because, why the hell not and I genuinely enjoy cooking so it was all the more reason to do so! This year, despite the pandemic I wanted to do something special. Extra special. I wanted to create a menu that brought all of my 'homes' to one table: my mixed-ethnic background (cashew curry-kaliya-beef from @fathisrecipebook and chicken – I made Chuka – beef in vinegar – for breakfast – no 📸)and my second home in India (jeera/cumin rice). Of course, this was definitely too much food for two people and I definitely missed @lifeandstylewithn / @tashi84 👭 to not only share the meal with but also to just be there and maybe help finish the food haha! 😂 . . But this strange, new time has brought to light new traits, habits and perspectives on things I didn't have before. I've not only learnt to be more grateful, but I've also learnt that small goals such as attempting to study (yes, we are even taking notes!) and doing that quick workout, really does go a long way. Here's to insight, lessons and breaking traditions 🌻 . . Also if you think my plating skills are bad, here is a view of my table laying-out skills! 😂 #yamuquarantinecookoff

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25th May 2020

Played a game of Scrabble with Mama. She won by six points despite me having the high-scoring letters. Do not be complacent when playing Scrabble, kids.

26th May 2020

  • Managed to call my Mac repair guy and he answered! I might almost have a new-looking laptop sooner, than later!
  • Went to the bank, which meant I managed to get some personal-admin work done.
  • I also walked to the bank (despite very confusing weather) and managed to get a free workout.
Trust me when I tell you that I had sunglasses on ten minutes before this.

27th May 2020

Tried new biscuits!

New biscuits from Cargills Kist

Tried Aqeela’s (a very witty, beautiful Twitter friend) trick and now I have more of my favourite cleanser to use! Also treated my face and hair to some much needed at home TLC to look less of a hot mess.

28th May 2020

  • Did something normal, went for coffee with Mum at this little bakery-restaurant close to home. I was more paranoid than I should be but it was nice to have some outside food for a change.

  • I also went shopping for pants. I really needed new pants. Despite not being able to try them on or return it, the measuring tape really does the job!

29th May 2020

  • Got my laptop fixed today! It seems like a new machine now – I also drove back and forth in exactly two hours and got back 🤩
  • Made dinner and plated it as per Ahamed’s suggestion and I think it looks decent 😂

  • Did a scary (decent) thing on the internet and made new friends including Nadeesha Paulis, Aisha and my kindred spirit Sharon!
  • ⬆️ Partly glad I said yes to my lead guitarist Enosh Praveen and going ahead with it without backing out!
  • Grateful to my favourite people from world over: my sister, Umesh, Chathu, Jo and Bhagya for being there through my shivers and over-blinking eyes 😭

So tell me, what were you grateful for these past few days?

#ThinkSunny🌻

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PS – I have a Facebook page that I’m still not too comfortable throwing around, but want you all to (secretly) know about 🙂

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