And after the break.......

It's a booootiful morning in December and I simply can't get enough of it! I want to soak all of it up, slurp it all up through a straw, like it was the last milkshake on earth.

Even sunlight seems happy :)

Total and complete holiday mode on and it's only the first week of December. Well, who the hell cares! It's beautiful out there and I feel sorry for whoever is cooped up in their offices.

One of the reasons can also be the fact that Peckish Me, my food blog is also in complete holiday overdrive. We've done some awesome videos out of which 2 have been released (you should totally check them out, they are awesome) and there's so much more to come as well!

By the way, Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/peckishme/   :) 

....and check out our eggnog video . I swear to you this is the most delicious thing you will ever taste in a long, long time.

We also shared a video of Sangria, a recipe we perfected while in Spain. You can check it out right here too. 

More than 3 months since the last post, more than 6 months since Le Marriage. So an absolute hurricane of a time, piles and pile of work which simply kept piling up even more, a creative spell, some dream walking, a bout of depression later, here I am!

Marriage update - They say that travel is the ultimate test on any relationship and I agree. We have traveled to 3 countries during the past 3 months, braved sickness, irritation, annoyance, panic and stress and if anything, I can say that we have aced the test. Yes, we do fly at each other’s throats occasionally (Me - “I wanna eat that!!!” Him - “No you can’t eat that, we have to go see the next attraction” - it is at this point that the fangs come out) but that only lasts like 5 minutes or less. We understand that we need each other to survive and admit that despite the occasional annoyances, we love each other to bits and pieces. We are each other’s pillar of strength/the bedrock/the foundation and etc and thus we are…pretty solid I must say.

So 6+ months after marriage I am more patient, more in love and more tolerant. Overall I think I have become a much better human being altogether. We have grown to fit each other's faults and inconsistencies so that we complement each other in our gaps. Both of us nourish each other - and are not hesitant to give up our own comforts for the good of the other. Despite 7 years together prior marriage, we are still growing - we are not perfect but we are becoming perfect for each other. We are inseparable, yet independent and supportive of each other's interests and ventures. He's an amazing human being. And I feel lucky to be by his side. I feel lucky to have found him and marrying him I think, is the best decision I've taken my whole life.

That being said, no relationship comes easy. You need to work at it continuously, assessing, reassessing, adjusting. And most importantly, not give up. It hasn't been exactly a bed of roses for us either (although it sort of is right now for us *blush*) but having put aside our pride and arrogance when we are with each other and learned to appreciate each other more, it's coming along just fine.

Besides it feels great to have someone totally and completely adore you even when you are drooling beside him on your pillow in your sleep in your not-so-sexy pajamas :D

You may say that it’s only been 6 months, but don’t forget, I’ve known the bugger for 7 odd years before tying it up. In marrying him I have married my best friend. And thus I have a best friend for life – one that wouldn’t abandon me, hopefully, when a better offer comes along.

There are soulmates and then there is the love of your life. The love of your life wins your heart and the right to be part of your life, the soulmate, whether you like it or not, will always be around. You cannot help but always look out for them too. It's an ancient calling past all your impulses and indelicacies. It's great if all of it is one :)

In other news, I have also acquired many skills. I can now debone a chicken in less than 3 minutes, pack a suitcase in less than 15 minutes and I can tolerate up to 1 hour of socializing, provided I did not have anything pressing to do. I can also operate a washing machine, fill the bath up for a wash and also cook 3 curries at the same time. I am impressed with my crisis control skills and household management - they do say that like a teabag, a woman doesn't know how strong she is unless she lands herself in hot water herself. I cannot, however, still iron a shirt to save my life. Nor can I scrape a coconut (I can, but I choose not to).

I am slowly beginning to realize that food blogging, which I started as a hobby is indeed a full time job. There is so much to do, there is so much that one CAN do which I am not doing which can enhance the blog and I am desperate to do more. I am forever restless, always wanting to do something that I am sometimes convinced that 24 hours is not enough for all the things that I want to do. Writing and food blogging, on top of a full time job and a family of my own, if Life was a client I don't think it can afford my rates for everything that I do!

I also had my first foray into horror writing and my first horror short story is going to be published in April 2017 by  Farolight Publishing (Cutting Block Books) in the USA. I've been flirting with horror all my life and this new found passion is another thing I need to find time for, because it is something I thoroughly enjoy (and potentially good at cz come on, all those horror stories read as a child and as an adult, all those horror movies watched have to go somewhere right?) 

See? Told you there was a lot going on!  

Peckish Me on Media!

I can't believe I missed this, but Peckish Me, my beloved baby of a food blog has been featured on Sunday Times and Life Online the past few weeks!

The response has been tremendous. Which also goes to show that I am doing something right. When you put your heart, soul and everything you've got into something and when it blossoms out, the satisfaction you get is indeed indescribable.

Find the Sunday Times article at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160731/plus/words-flow-from-the-flavour-of-food-for-this-foodie-202660.html

Find the Life Online article at http://life.dailymirror.lk/article/33/entertainment/15859/In-Conversation-With-Jayani-Senanayake

I am about to launch into professional restaurant and hotel reviewing so here's to wishing that it goes down well!

Also, do show this all Sri Lankan food blogger some love by spreading the word. I do my best to concoct easily executable recipes and post it up with a special focus on our local stuff which otherwise go unnoticed by the rest of the world. So here's one Sri Lankan foodie trying to take Sri Lanka out there in to the world. So tell your friends, visit my site, try out my recipes. Also, do 'Like' my Facebook page     and do invite your friends to like it too. Need your support to make it through! 

Chocolate cake and other stories

This week. It deserves a large slice of chocolate cake all on its own. Death by Chocolate. No, make that chocolate fudge cake. Now that I think  about it, one slice won't cut it, make it an entire cake. ALL to myself.

It's been an exhausting week, the crazy kind of week when one day it's Monday and suddenly, you are groaning from exhaustion while trudging home, dragging your battered body behind on Friday. My whole body is in physical pain and I'm emotional and I'm cranky as my womb is waging that horrific and terrifying war inside. There is a huge zit on my forehead that appeared out of nowhere this morning and it's not even a cute zit. Standing there all by itself looking a little forlorn yet managing to stand tall and proud all the same, it reminds me a little bit of myself - it's me against the world.

It's been sharp office attire and high heels the whole week and I'm sick and damn tired. I think I'll be in shorts for the rest of the weekend. I think women are amazing for doing all that they do, pulling as much weight as their male counterparts, even more at times, amidst raging storms, the many obstacles and hurdles that only women have to face in this accursed country, and all in high heels and tight dresses too!

Sometimes I want to leave it all and become a housewife. And then I remember I can't iron a shirt to save my life and therefore would be a terrible housewife. In fact I burned my favourite shirt last night trying to iron it and I still haven't gotten over the shock of it. I loved that shirt. It was a good shirt :( 

Well the only good part in this is that I get to spend two days in my maternal home, in my own sweet room and it has been absolutely magical. With nobody to bother me but my nuisance of a dog, good food and parental spoiling, this is introvert heaven. It's strange how things that you once took for granted later become rare luxuries - time with parents, Frankenstein who is more my child than a dog, my room and familiar surroundings. Don't get me wrong, I adore hubby boy and spoil him to bits and believe that I am a greater pain to him when he is around than he is to me but I cherish this alone time by myself. I need this time to recharge, to think, to collect myself. 

So here I am at 12 o' clock at night sipping on a cup of tea and typing my woes away. Life has never been better! Well, right now at least. 

Had to take a cab to work today in the morning and way back. Although two different cab companies, the only two I use now (I never use Sonit Cabs now because their drivers are leering perverts and knows nothing of respect and their customer service is no better. Ladies, it is NOT safe for a woman to ride a Sonit cab, even with several people accompanying you!) sad to say, they drive like maniacs! The morning one, Budget Taxi, drove at high speed over every road bump and crack on the road he saw (sending me, my shoes and my bags flying every single time) and used the break as much as he used the accelerator and I suspect that at times he used both at once! Think the bloody cow meant to scare me, seeing as to I was a girl (and as per most men girls are scaredy-cats. Boo hoo!). I guessed he likes hearing girls scream. I gave him right and proper instead for not driving carefully and threatened to report him - which I didn't because I was too exhausted at the end of it. The evening one - Kangaroo Cabs - was a little better and the fellow was nicer. Although he still drove like a hormone pumped teenager and sang along to Justin Bieber and 'No Promises', the ride was okay and relatively smooth if you don't count the abrupt applying of breaks and risque twists and turns. And no, he can't sing.

Today was a shock. I take cabs very frequently and today was the first time I experienced such careless driving. It was a shame because I've always trusted Kangaroo Cabs to be the most reliable with descent mannered and cultured drivers. And Budget Taxi has not been too bad either.   

Has an adventure park closed down recently? Because I think all the roller coaster and thrill ride operators are driving cabs now.

Life's crazy hectic and I don't know how time flies. But you see, the thing is, if I want something, if I set my heart on something, I always get it or at least go down trying. As my father has put to one of his friends recently who reported it back to me "My girl always gets what she wants. She's stubborn, she's strong headed but she doesn't wait around for things to be handed to her" which made me proud and happy that my father, my role model for life, sees me that way. He is no different, I think I got it from him. So much to do so little time but hey, getting there to accomplishing everything I've ever wanted in life. In terms of food blog we are golden. But more to be done, lots more to be accomplished. Ain't stopping here. 

I just wished someone paid me to just travel and eat. That's it. That would be my job and I'd be the happiest person on earth. What a life that would be! 

And I to bed! 1.29 AM and it's already Saturday. 

Metal by the Sea

Thinking back on all the events that I have attended, I think I simply must say this - one has not truly lived if one has not experienced metal by the sea.

No I don’t mean the type that corrodes with the sea breeze. I mean metal music – the rawness, the unadulterated pureness of emotion that it brings forth. It is beautiful how these two savage forces come together in perfect harmony – sea and metal, such an inebriating combination, a match made in heaven as it were. 

Soft,warm sand at our feet, wind in our hair and sweet, bleeding metal at our ears – a strange piece of paradise that baffled and blew our minds. 2nd of July was truly special. Which is why after almost a month, the memory is still crispy fresh in our minds.

The night started off in a rather amusing way. Just as we turned into the car park at Shore by O, we were warned, albeit in an apologetic tone, “it’s a band that’s playing tonight. I hope that is okay” (Sir, ada band ekak gahanne. Kamak naane) by the friendly guy who was directing the traffic there. We smiled and assured him that it’s more than okay, and that we were indeed there “to see the band play”.

It was a lovely evening. The sun had already set and we lingered a bit on the beach before wandering in. The sea-perfumed breeze whipped at our clothes and gave us a sense of flying which was rather euphoric. There was a sense of festivity in the air - perhaps it was all the fairy lights and the semi-charmed atmosphere that dusk creates. It was like being at a beach party but instead of the colourful bikinis and bare chested fellows, we were surrounded by a sea of black tshirts, interesting hair and pure, raw energy.

The stage was set with its back to the sea as a means of protection against the salt drenched winds. While the setting would have been absolutely breathtaking at sunset, we felt that this setting did not allow maximum exposure to the crowd and we were left wondering from where we could watch the performances. Especially considering that it was a Stigmata gig, (crazy head banging, communal moshing anyone?) imagine what a glorious pit it would have created had the stage faced sideways to the sand stretch of land! The sandy beach, the sea breeze making all that fabulous hair whip the unrelenting winds asunder (for hair and beard watching are two of the main reasons we like attending gigs), freedom to move frenzied with that slight intoxication only ocean breeze can provide. However, once we got upstairs our concerns were quelled. Although a gig is never fully enjoyed while sitting down, the opportunity was too good to let go. We were able to get balcony seats for the night – right above the stage, the seats offered uninhibited panoramic views (ahem) and had the gig started at sunset rather than at that darkened hour, we could imagine what a view it would have been.

The Gig

The night started with Abyss, a band that we have not seen perform before and therefore not very familiar with. These kids had a faint whiff of Lamb of God about them with rather impressive ax and skins skills and powerful vocals, although unfortunately we failed to make out any of the lyrics to the songs. Their performance was energetic and it was surprising that there was no moshpit action but I eventually attributed it to the narrow (and rather precarious looking) space in front of the stage which was not very conducive for moshing. A mix of originals and covers peppered their set but my favorite was when the Stigmata Skinsman Taraka, joined them onstage for a cover of Lamb of God’s Black Label. 

Next up was Salvage and they had been advertised as performing an acoustic set that night, what with their skinsman being unavailable for the night. Having witnessed their performances many time before, I must say, their acoustic performance blew me away. Magic was definitely in the air as they lulled the crowd with a mix of originals and covers, each beautifully complemented by the brilliant lighting of the stage (who did the lighting btw? It was pretty amazing) and the soothing sea breeze caressing us into oblivion. The acoustics brought out the vocalist’s powerful tones into the spotlight which are otherwise drowned out by the drums – and we liked it. I think they should perform acoustic more often.

Check out the awesome lights-play

Next up was the mighty Stigmata who took to the stage. And we all know how this goes down.

The performance as always started with a bang. The band unfurled, coiled, glided and stomped its way through their new and old tracks, the all-time favorites and the sing-along—anthems (as the band puts it) brutally, majestically. There wasn’t a person who wasn’t mumbling (or screeching) along to the lyrics of the songs. 

Now anyone who has ever been to a Stigmata gig rarely stops at just one concert. Their stage presence, the performances, the intensity of all that raw talent – the combination of it all is one that one rarely sees, not only in Sri Lanka, but also in the world. Their music speaks for itself – it speaks to your inner being, it lulls you and caresses you, sometimes it makes you dance, sometimes it makes you launch yourself into the philosophical sphere and retreat within yourself. With powerful lyrics and mind twisting music performed by a bunch of insanely (and somewhat insane) talented guys, it is no wonder that Stigmata concerts usually see quite a lot of people belting out the lyrics to their enchanting pieces along with the band. 

Their set comprised of tunes new and old off their latest album and their albums past. ‘Andura’, - that sacred tune that every little boy who had ever wanted to become a guitarist/rocker/ladies’ man wanted to master (“I noticed you like metal. You know Stigmata? I can play “Andura”*sleazy eyebrow wiggle*) has always been a crowd pleaser which sent the whole lot into a roaring frenzy while ‘Voices’, one of their evergreen classics got everybody howling at the top of their lungs (myself and hubby dearest included) in an attempt to sing along. Another remarkable fact that my husband (a bigger Stigmata fan than I will ever be), pointed out was that they played ‘Purer’ for the first time after a long time and despite the fact that Lakmal’s bass solo was not properly heard due to technical difficulties, it was magnificent. It was good to hear an old favourite after such a long time. “DeadRose” was goose bump -inducingly amazing as always and we launched into full-fledged dance mode to the trippy tunes of Jazz theory, swaying our hips to the Flamenco and head banging to the rest. The mind boggling tunes of ‘An Idle mind” as well as the jive-inducing ‘Our beautiful decay’ from their latest album were welcome additions. But what really stole the show was that amazing compilation of 90’s cartoon tunes metalized for our taste buds. Andrew has performed a similar version at the video launch of “On the wings of the Storm” but this was more refined and more ….well, simply put, absolutely kickass. The band posted up a teaser of the piece and had our panties in all kinds of twists (the boyos included. Well, especially the boyos) and it wouldn't be wrong to say that this was the moment that we've been waiting for since the beginning of the night. AND it was phenomenal. Not sure how the kiddos who hadn’t known the shows like we did enjoyed it, but we the 90’s kids totally dig it, having grown up with the likes of Thunder Cats, Silver Hawks and the X-Men (why do they call it X-MEN? There are WOMEN there too you know) as our heroes. We had to swat away a few phones and cameras that popped up covering our faces just to get a glimpse of the performance ourselves which explains that our enthusiasm was mutual.

We recorded the piece but had to give up on putting it up here when the upload failed multiple times. Technology has us all by the balls, so sad, sad day :( 

The food

This part I usually publish in my food blog but I decided to do it here anyway.

Having had a look at the menu, I could see that they had a large variety of interesting stuff which I was eager to try. But having set my heart on the baked crab dish that sounded absolutely yummy, I was rather disappointed to learn that the menu was not available that night (another thing that the friendly guy at the car park warned us about) and only the displayed items in the buffet were made available. But that disappointment was short-lived, I was about to discover.

There were the usual culprits of a seaside pub setting - the fried rice, the French fries, the hot butter…….OMG!! Ok so bottom line, I ended up ordering the hot butter cuttlefish, the hot butter mushroom AND the oh-so-glorious pork in what I suspected, was a bistake. And the food, oh my, exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds.

Call me a prude but I do not have faith in ANYTHING that is served in disposable things. Handed out in disposable plates, I will be honest and state that I did not have high expectations of the food. But the first bite of that hot butter cuttlefish changed my perception forever. It was not overly spicy or laden with oil like most hot butter cuttlefish dishes you find out there and rather delicately and expertly spiced. It could have easily found its place on the menu of a fine dining resto (if only they offered hot butter cuttlefish at these places). The batter was crisp and fresh with a delicious crunch with the cuttlefish tender and buttery inside – a difficult feat to achieve having made hot butter cuttlefish myself on numerous occasions. The pork was juicy and melt-in-the-mouth tender with a delicate balance between the sweet and the spicy which was rather delightful. And anyone who has ever cooked pork know how easy it is to overcook the meat and have it resembling tough old boots. 

I did not care much for the hot butter mushroom though. While the textures were on point, the flavours were a little bland which was a pity was because just a pinch more salt and a few more chili flakes would have made it just perfect.

So the food – wonderfully done and was a worthy effort. Nibbling on a piece of pork, munching on the hot butter cuttlefish, sipping on a Kahlua cocktail and listening to some of the best bands in Sri Lanka play their hearts out? That was truly priceless.

It was a night to remember in so many ways.   

   

I don’t remember the last time we danced at a metal gig but here is one in which we did. I don’t think we were drunk (I don’t think one cocktail can send us spinning off like that) but ocean breeze and good music are known to have intoxicating effects on us human beings. Giddy and light headed, we were laughing all the way home and it was with some effort that hubby dearest dragged me away from going dancing on the beach. T’was a good, good night. T'was an awesome night J 

 Check out some of the performances here

On time and being "busy"

As a child, I had wanted to be busy. I used to look at my parents and others who I used to regard as adults and marvel at how wonderful their lives may be, how important they must feel, to be so busy all the time.

As a university student, I smirked whenever someone said they were busy. I preferred long bus rides to a quick cab ride or being driven around by someone. I liked long walks and often walked the 5-6 KMs that was there from my university to my home refusing to take a bus or a tuk. I did not understand why others did not do the same. I was dismayed that people were always in a rush to get somewhere, I hated how they used to honk at traffic lights instead of patiently waiting, enjoying their time. I reveled in visiting friends and spending time with them and could not understand why people older than us did not revel in it anymore. I hated how no one took the time to stop and appreciate the small things. I did want to rush anywhere.

But now I do. In fact, I am always rushing, everywhere at any given time. 

As an adult (ok well at least age wise) I now understand why people are always rushing, why people are always in a hurry to get somewhere, why people grow restless waiting. I understand why people are impatient and they do not enjoy the privilege of meeting up with friends, stopping and appreciating the little things in life and basically, taking it slow. Because I myself am in a constant rush now. 

I am not sure when it happened, but suddenly you are caught up in this whirlpool of events and happenings that leave you exhausted all the time. Earlier you would rather go out dancing, catch up with friends or travel, do something adventurous but now, getting holed up in your room with a nice cup of tea with no one for company and a few hours to yourself is the perfect adventure that you’ve been dreaming of.longing for.

What happened? I started working. I started rising. I started getting ambitious. I now have everything I have ever dreamt of career-wise with a very comfortable material life. But I have lost something very valuable to myself along the way. Time.

I remember the time I worked 4 jobs because I was not satisfied and still enjoyed the painfully slow bus rides home. I remember the times when coming home from work was not a certainty and after going home from office at 11 pm, opened up my laptop at 12 to continue working till the wee hours of the morning only to get up and go to work again. I worked through weekends, I worked through nights. I worked hard and I worked with honesty. I created a life for myself and depended on no one to provide for me. And of that I am proud. 

   

Because of that, life is not as hectic as it used to be anymore. I am reaping the fruits of all that hard work all those years back and if I wanted, I could retire now and still lead a comfortable life. But I do not want to stop. This is the real tragedy. 

I used to wonder at people getting pedicures done at salons, paying good money. Why could they not get it done at home – scrub the feet, file those nails, push back the cuticles, get rid of the dead skin at the soles of feet, apply nail polish – base coat first, color second and top coat last, a small interval between each of these steps. Now I find myself getting a pedicure every once in a while. I get pedicures just to feel good. It feels good to rest my feet for a while – something that I hardly get time for anymore.

Strange how things have changed, opinions and all.

The thesis monster has been slain. It is strange though, I had thought that it would have physically felt like lifting a weight off my head and I would feel like dancing through the meadows, arms outstretched with an absolute sense of freedom but nothing of the sort has been felt. It just feels…..normal.

Although the MBA is finally over, there are other things that take up my time. My food blog for example. It’s taken off at a rate and I am ever so proud of it. Slowing down now would be fatal.

All the trips that me and the husband creature promised one another we would take, all the things that we promised ourselves that we will do, still awaits. Honestly speaking, all I want to do right now is stay home and sleep! And cuddle. And eat and drink. And just lie around doing basically nothing in particular. 

Life. It was only yesterday that was Sunday and here I am already wishing for the weekend. But what we don't realize is that as we eagerly wait for the weekend, we are also wishing for less time with our loved ones, less time on planet earth, less time to be young, the end of an era, for death itself.

We humans sometimes don't realize what we wish for - and then get it anyway in the end. 

On time and being "busy"

As a child, I had wanted to be busy. I used to look at my parents and others who I used to regard as adults and marvel at how wonderful their lives may be, how important they must feel, to be so busy all the time.

As a university student, I smirked whenever someone said they were busy. I preferred long bus rides to a quick cab ride or being driven around by someone. I liked long walks and often walked the 5-6 KMs that was there from my university to my home refusing to take a bus or a tuk. I did not understand why others did not do the same. I was dismayed that people were always in a rush to get somewhere, I hated how they used to honk at traffic lights instead of patiently waiting, enjoying their time. I reveled in visiting friends and spending time with them and could not understand why people older than us did not revel in it anymore. I hated how no one took the time to stop and appreciate the small things. I did want to rush anywhere.

But now I do. In fact, I am always rushing, everywhere at any given time. 

As an adult (ok well at least age wise) I now understand why people are always rushing, why people are always in a hurry to get somewhere, why people grow restless waiting. I understand why people are impatient and they do not enjoy the privilege of meeting up with friends, stopping and appreciating the little things in life and basically, taking it slow. Because I myself am in a constant rush now. 

I am not sure when it happened, but suddenly you are caught up in this whirlpool of events and happenings that leave you exhausted all the time. Earlier you would rather go out dancing, catch up with friends or travel, do something adventurous but now, getting holed up in your room with a nice cup of tea with no one for company and a few hours to yourself is the perfect adventure that you’ve been dreaming of.longing for.

What happened? I started working. I started rising. I started getting ambitious. I now have everything I have ever dreamt of career-wise with a very comfortable material life. But I have lost something very valuable to myself along the way. Time.

I remember the time I worked 4 jobs because I was not satisfied and still enjoyed the painfully slow bus rides home. I remember the times when coming home from work was not a certainty and after going home from office at 11 pm, opened up my laptop at 12 to continue working till the wee hours of the morning only to get up and go to work again. I worked through weekends, I worked through nights. I worked hard and I worked with honesty. I created a life for myself and depended on no one to provide for me. And of that I am proud. 

   

Because of that, life is not as hectic as it used to be anymore. I am reaping the fruits of all that hard work all those years back and if I wanted, I could retire now and still lead a comfortable life. But I do not want to stop. The needs have magnified and I need to work to achieve those needs.

I used to wonder at people getting pedicures done at salons, paying good money. Why could they not get it done at home – scrub the feet, file those nails, push back the cuticles, get rid of the dead skin at the soles of feet, apply nail polish – base coat first, color second and top coat last, a small interval between each of these steps. Now I find myself getting a pedicure every once in a while. Otherwise I just apply a coat of colour on top of chipped nails and hope that it isn’t noticeable.

And I get pedicures just to feel good. It feels good to rest my feet for a while – something that I hardly get time for anymore.

Strange how things have changed, opinions and all.

The thesis monster has been slain. It is strange though, I had thought that it would have physically felt like lifting a weight off my head and I would feel like dancing through the meadows with an absolute sense of freedom but nothing of the sort has been felt. It just feels…..normal.

Although the MBA is finally over, there are other things that take up my time. My food blog for example. It’s taken off at a rate and I am ever so proud of it. Slowing down now would be fatal.

All the trips that me and the husband creature promised one another we would take, all the things that we promised ourselves that we will do, still awaits. Honestly speaking, all I want to do right now is stay home and sleep!

Life. It was only yesterday that was Sunday and here I am already wishing for the weekend. But what we don't realize is that as we eagerly wait for the weekend, we are also wishing for less time with our loved ones, less time on planet earth, less time to be young, the end of an era, for death itself.

We humans sometimes don't realize what we wish for - and then get it anyway in the end. 

Writing theses & making enemies

CHOCOLATE!! I NEED CHO CO LATE!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!

Such is my eternal mood these days.

I lay brooding in my thesis induced state in a nest of chocolate wrappers, surrounded by crumbs of Twix, KitKat and Ritzbury Chocolate fingers (I kid you not, that stuff is GOOD!), starring spaced out at a computer screen, so much so that the screen is imprinted on my cornea. I feel slightly hungover although not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips since, oh the wedding. Note to self - after this grand nuisance of a thesis is done, I swear I will open a bottle of 1989 Cabernet Sauvignon all by myself (well maybe with a little help from the hubby boy. Remember that time when I popped a bottle of Champagne and the cork ended up landing on my head? Ya. So no) and finish it all by myself! (Maybe hubby boy can have a sip since he helped open the bottle and all).

When all this is over I am also taking a looooong, shamefully indulgent spa treatment. I will combine two spa treatments if I have to because well, my aching body, limbs and mind demands it! And then I'm going to go shopping. And I mean SHOPPING. Like real hardcore, drop-dead, can't carry anymore, there's literally a hole in my wallet kind of shopping. And it's going to be totally awesome.

Which has also got me thinking, what do I really do with all this time once this wretched thing is over! Hmmm...now that's a thought.

On other news, I think I have an enemy! This is exciting news in my otherwise greatly drab life!

I don't know when or where I started noticing it. There I was being my usual spaced-out self getting into the staff transport after a long and tiring day at work and flopping down on my favourite seat minding my own business/reading/listening to music and etc and suddenly I notice this little waif of a woman, looking more like a fruit fly than a woman (I swear I could almost see the antennas on her head) with large spectacles covering almost her entire face, actively giving me these God-Awful withering looks that would have wilted a coconut tree as she passed my seat every day. I noticed this once or twice and while fleetingly wondered what that was all about, forgot all about it afterwards. That was until she pushed me. And butted me with her oversized handbag. And stamped my feet. And purposefully sat next to me and while still giving me the evil eye, started pushing me to the corner complaining how she doesn't have enough space.

And this is not accidental pushing or shoving mind you. It would have been all negligible and I would have quickly dismissed it with an indifferent wave of hand if it hadn't been for the "I will eat your first born and pick my teeth with its bones" kind of look on her bug face every time each of these things happened *shudders*  

Now this is the staff transport route that I take since I partially moved to Yakkla (this is my cue to break into howls of despair and snotty nosed sobs) after marriage while when I am in Kiribathgoda, I have this awesome staff transport with awesome people who are full of smiles and kind and tender words. The Yakkala transport has always been troublesome for me. It's literally like the transport from hell. Being the new girl isn't easy there with everybody bulling me but I braved them all and just when I thought that I've seen the last of my troubles, along comes bug lady (honestly I can't seem to get over how bug-like she really is) and hovers about like that annoying fly (making that annoying wheeeeeeeeeee sound) that you just can't seem to get rid of.

And then I realized what her problem might be. Having sat at my seat once or twice while I was in Kiribathgoda, she seems to have developed a liking for where I usually sit. I like that seat, it's where I always sit. I like it because it gives me the secluded space that I need at the end of a tiring day surrounded by people and I like it because, well, I simply like it. And this fawn of Satan (it's quite easy to picture her doing the devil dance naked around a blazing fire and sacrificing virgins and drinking their blood), has developed a liking for it too. And she absolutely loathes me for having claimed it back, takes every chance she can to be nasty. I don't get it. I really don't get it.

So these days I find myself being usurped of my seat. Even when I come right at 4.30 on the dot (I managed several days just to test my theory), there she is, smugly seated, watching me from the corner of her eye, watching to see what I would do. I, of course, do not betray my feelings and not willing to admit defeat and I cooly go claim another seat without so much of a glance in that direction, calmly take out my book/music and continue doing what I do, all the time of course, muttering curses under my breath. Still I could feel her eyes boring right into the back of my head. The little Rumpelstiltskin clearly has a problem.

One often does wonder how one is snugly seated in the staff transport sharp at 4.30 when one only gets off duty at 4.30. I of course having actual work to do, cannot even comprehend how one is seated in the staff transport at 4.30 on the dot. Either she does not have any work to do, she does not work but loafs around till 4.30 or she has brilliant teleportation powers. I honestly doubt that it is the latter. Needless to say, it is because of people like this that companies go bankrupt and empires fall.

And when I make an enemy, I find out everything about them. And I mean EVERYTHING. And people who know me know that I am frighteningly good at it too.

But this case is an exception.

Despite the best of my attempts, I only found out the following information - she wears a ring on her left ring finger, which indicates that she may or may not be married, has an appearance of about 48 - 50 years old, which also may or may not be the case, a constipated look on her face and that she has a terrible dress sense. She works for the same organization that I do and may or may not live in Gampaha. That's it. Not even a name or a department. And this is despite my best efforts.

Which further goes to show that she may not be human.

This malicious little imp always finds a way to be close to me, even when I'm not sitting in her favourite seat(which is, technically speaking MINE!). Yesterday I found her breathing down my neck (which is quite hard to do since I am a good head or so taller than her) and this morning, without me even being aware of her presence, pushes me. I of course did not take this assault lying down. I pushed back. And answered the glowering and the swearing that followed with a sweet smile and a sorry.

That felt good.

All jokes aside, the situation is seriously sinister. If I am stabbed (cue 'Psycho' music) or mysteriously disappears, let this blog post be witness that it is the bug lady who probably has me skinned alive and is beaming from ear to ear, having covered herself with a blanket made off my skin.

*Shudders*. My fascination with the macabre even scares me sometimes.

On other matters, the prospect of becoming a stay-at-home person (I have an inherent abhorrence to the the term "housewife". It sounds like a synonym for domestic slave. Or slave wife.) is seeming more and more attractive in my eyes. Getting up early morning is taking away the good part of my youth I feel and for the best part of the day I am elsewhere getting harassed by Satan's imps and waging other people's wars. I am very happy about my current workplace. Nonetheless, I love my home (MY home. Not where I currently am) even more. But as people would say, I was born awesome but not rich, so getting up in the morning and going to work has to be worked in to the schedule somehow for now.

Unless I found a way to make a living from home. Hmm.....

And while I thus so shamelessly indulge in procrastination in the multifaceted forms of, inspirational posts, cat videos (I don't even like cats), celebrity gossip (I don't know who half these people are), serial killers (Yes, those are fascinating) and oh, pretty much anything that distracts me (it's amazing how everything starts seeming oh-so-interesting when you have something else to do, isn't it?), it bothers my mind that there sits, like a giant venomous, ugly frog, a monolithic (and torturous) thesis demanding my attention, blowing raspberries at me, making my very existence a source of woe and worry.  And then there's my food blog that I have sold my soul to. There also awaits a very exciting book that I've read 3/4 (Isabel Allende is awesome) and it's funny how I find myself sneaking off with it all the time to the washroom/hidden away in my room and etc. I don't know who I am hiding from! It's hilarious really. And a little sad :(

Anyhoo, it will all be over soon, I promise. (gives myself a hug).

I shall now go back to hatching a plan on getting back at that evil little staff transport Satan worshiper. Life just got a wee bit interesting with this malicious little imp of mine *rubs hands together as evil laughter ensues*