Though it rained the whole day yesterday, the air was pleasant and cool. Most people would be in their cardigans for a change without having to turn on their fans or aircons. It was also unfortunate that due to the constant rain lately, a massive landslide had occurred in KL that had killed 4 people in a prime housing area. In that same area about 1.5 kilometers away is site of the once prestigious Highland Towers Condominiums. A collapse of one of its blocks (of 3) had killed 48 people in 1993. The remaining of the other two blocks still stand abandoned and in disarray.
I had my family over for lunch yesterday since my brother and his family was in town. I made my ‘famous’ Cool Basil Sauce Spaghetti and Bean Salad. I should be giving the credits to my boss Bee instead. She was the one who picked them up from other sources, simplified them before giving them to me. I only improvised from my side by substituting brown sugar with honey. Besides, she also gave me a whole bag full of basil leaves otherwise the spaghetti wouldn’t have happened.
Mom made her Sea-Salt Baked chicken and that was so good that I have forgotten all about taking pictures of it until I have devoured off any remaining meat from the chicken bone! Dessert was two cans of mixed fruit cocktails where I substituted the juice with a combination of lime pop soda and cream – a recipe from my friend Farouk’s mom. Sounds yucky but once you have tasted it, you’ll scream, “Yummy” instead!
The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Blu-rays, where I introduced the Broadway musical, “Company” (music by Stephen Sondheim) to my sister. I like most of Stephen Sondheim’s work and his music is an acquired taste. This version of “Company” with Raul Esparza is nothing short of being incredible! The actors not only had to sing but play musical instruments as well! Flawless!
I was introduced to Sondheim when I was in college. “Sunday in the Park with George” was the experience and it grew on me. “Sweeney Todd” was and still is a little too eerie for me, but nevertheless, I have it in my collection. “Children will Listed” (from, “Into the Woods”) and the songs from, “The Follies” are some of my favorites.
Both my sisters also like musicals may it be movies or stage. I remember how we would act out scenes after we had gotten back from a musical show that we had just attended. I remember being, “Oliver!”, singing “Where is Love?” complete with tears when I was “in character” lip-syncing to the turntable where the vinyl was spinning. I was around 5 or 6 then. Suan would be “Nancy”, and my brother would be “Fagin”, or sometimes “Bill Sikes”! Yes, that was from the 1968 musical movie adaptation that to me, remains as one of my favorites (others are “The King & I”, “Camelot”, “West-side Story”, stage-version of “Chorus Line”, “My Fair Lady”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Sound of Music”, and the newbies being, “Mamma-Mia!”, “Chicago”, “Phantom of the Opera” and on top of the list would be “Hairspray”)!
I guess my interests for musicals came from those formative years (Mom used to play, “Wouldn’t it be Loverly” from the soundtrack of “My Fair Lady”, whenever she fed me milk). Dad played a lot of Sinatra and that also explains my fondness for torch standards.
Went to the movies with my old friend, Steven last Sunday for Disney’s “Bolt” in 3-D at KLCC. Enjoyed myself, and this
year’s KLCC Christmas tree is the worst! It may be the tallest in the world but the boring-est! See for yourself!
Images:
Top) Simple, fast and colorful! All the beans (canned) came from the supermarket shelves. Throw them together and walla! You get a nutritiously delicious bean salad! Everyone in my family loves it including the kids. I think it’s the dressing (I use balsamic vinegar, garlic granules, honey, sea salt and of course, olive oil)! Salad dressing recipe came from my boss, Bee. 8 December 2008
Middle) Invited my family over for lunch yesterday and I made them this speghetti. The recipe actually came from Richard Rocco and my boss improvised it before giving it to me. It a little bit of work but the result is worth every bit of compliments I get every time I serve it to my guests! Most would want to take the loftovers home and it’s vegetarian. Thanks, Bee (my boss). 8 December 2008
Third) The cover of, “Company” DVD/Blu-ray.
Last) This is by far the most boring Christmas tree being put up at the KLCC mall this year! Even though the styrofoam gingerbread men and nutcrackers looked cool amongst the other giant-sized ornaments, the tree looked completely boring! One needed to squint their eyes in order to see the lights flickering. Tallest in the world, but most boring (actually used the "boring" word three times here)! 6 December 2008
I have always wanted my own Christmas tree especially this year for the first Christmas in my very own house. My problem was, due to some circumstances, my budget was kind of tight and this year almost everything went up except my salary. So, I had decided to wait out on the tree until next Christmas season after I have plan a budget for it.
they had a sale on Christmas trees and some selected ornaments. For a 6-foot tall tree that was RM90 (US$25.84) was on sale for RM15 ($4.30), I would be a fool not to get it! So, with the ornaments and other decorations including lights, I have spent less than RM150 ($43.04) for everything in total. A price tag I would never thought possible if they hadn’t had the clearance. The stores would normally put their trees into storage until the next year. Most of the ornaments would be cleared off though.
