A SUNDAY OF LOVE, MEMORIES & MOMENTS

Sunday began quietly with a visit to the temple. 

I met the priest, set the date for my mom’s one-year prayer and paid the booking fees.

There was a bittersweet weight to it, arranging this ceremony myself, because those whom my late mom and sister had lovingly cared for over the years weren’t present in the way I had hoped. 

Nothing was followed through.

Anyways, though it hurt, I realized the strength I’ve gained doing it myself even when others fall short. 

After the temple, I drove to Klang to visit my relatives. Breakfast was chai and biscuits, shared laughter and stories. 

Lunch was at Spicy Cuisine, filling and comforting, followed by a lazy afternoon of curling up in a chair, dozing off and waking up again and again only to see the rest still sharing stories of yesteryears! :))

Soon, it was time for me to leave. A long drive back home. There were moments of quiet reflection and moments of joy as we planned our next get-together. Tight hugs and wishing well, I left. 

Later, I stopped by Muji to pick up the last items for my Nepal trip ie flannel overcoats, some inners and some cozy socks. This short stop was like a little celebration of warmth for the journey ahead.

The day ended with a sense of fulfillment. 

Even though my family didn’t step up as I had wished, I found joy in the act of devotion itself. I had honored my mom in my way, surrounded by small pleasures, good food, loving relatives, a little shopping and quiet reflection. 

Sometimes, love can be imperfect, heavy but unwavering. 

And today, I carried it fully.

‘See’ you all in my next blog! :))



A MINDFUL MALL MORNING

A Mindful Mall Morning

Today felt like a gentle little adventure. 

A perfect mix of movement, mindfulness, and mini discoveries. 


I headed to the mall with a plan: get some steps in, enjoy breakfast slowly, and maybe pick up a few items for my upcoming Nepal trip.


Walking through the mall, I hit 5k steps surprisingly fast, noticing little details I usually overlook. Every corner, every display felt a tiny bit more alive because I was paying attention. Even the escalator felt like a secret cheat-code moment for extra steps. 😬


Breakfast at Nyonya Colours was a lesson in patience and presence. I had a small packet of nasi lemak, a curry puff and teh tarik. 


Each bite of the nasi lemak and curry puff were chewed at least 50 times. My jaw definitely got a workout and I had a little burp pop up!! a funny, unexpected companion to my mindful eating experiment. 😂 It made me laugh and reminded me how much I usually rush food without noticing it.


After breakfast, I did a bit of light shopping for Nepal. Two warm tops and a few bandanas. Small, practical and exciting steps toward my upcoming 10-day Vipassana retreat in December.


Lunch continued the mindful eating practice: grilled pork with salad and mashed potatoes. Chewing slowly made every flavor linger longer and I noticed just how much our bodies crave patience. 


My jaw reminded me with a little soreness that it had been working overtime but in a strangely satisfying way 😅.


By the time I finished, I felt grounded, satisfied and quietly proud of these small wins. 


A simple mall outing turned into a mindful adventure filled with little surprises, reflections and tiny victories. 


Even ordinary days can feel extraordinary when we take the time to slow down, notice and savour them.


By the end of the day, my steps were happy, my jaw was sore (in a good way 😅) and my heart felt quietly victorious. 


Little adventures, big mindfulness.

SUMMER SAMBAR SYMPHONY

Summer Sambar Symphony


Today, I tried something wonderfully chaotic in the kitchen, my own twist on a classic Indian sambar!


A dash of ghee, potatoes, tomatoes, a small brinjal, a hint of dried bitter gourd (first time!) and… wait for it… a few drops of red wine!🤫😋


Yes, I turned my sambar into a little fusion experiment; a summer symphony of flavours that somehow worked.


Cooking like this reminds me how life itself is a mix of traditions, surprises, and a few playful experiments along the way. 


I wanted to stick to a water fast today, but hunger and reason (and maybe a little logic!) convinced me to enjoy my lunch instead. 


It was a good reminder; it’s okay to bend the rules sometimes and savor the moment.


Sharing a meal, giving in to small indulgences and adding a personal twist, that’s what keeps life flavourful. 


My sambar might not win awards, but it gave me joy, laughter and a little story to tell and sometimes, that’s the best recipe of all.


Reflection: 

Life doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes the small, playful deviations, like a touch of wine in sambar, create the most memorable moments. Enjoying these moments, embracing imperfection and laughing along the way is where the true flavour of life lies. 


Chef’s Tips: Warning! Sambar may contain traces of mischief and unexpected happiness! 😂




THE SILENCE THAT SPOKE

 The Silence That Spoke


One day, the messages stopped. No argument, no explanation, just silence where there used to be warmth and words. At first, I thought maybe there was a reason. Maybe life had gotten in the way. Maybe I had said something wrong. I replayed old conversations, looking for clues that were never really there.


But days turned into weeks, and weeks into months and months into YEARS and that silence grew louder than any goodbye could have been. It’s strange how absence can echo, how something unseen can weigh so heavily on your heart.


There’s a special kind of pain in being ghosted. It’s not dramatic, it’s just…empty. You’re left trying to make sense of something senseless, asking questions that only one person could answer; and they’ve chosen not to.


In time, though, I learned that silence isn’t always cruelty. Sometimes it’s immaturity, sometimes fear, sometimes just a reflection of someone’s inability to communicate with care. Whatever it is, it’s not a reflection of my worth…i’m learning…


And then a text pops up after a year, i replied…silence again…and then almost a year later, another text recently….I knew then that i’m done…


But, healing didn’t arrive in a grand moment of clarity. It came quietly:-


in the mornings when I woke up and didn’t check my phone, 


in the evenings when I stopped wondering; and


in the laughter I shared with people who stayed. 


Slowly, the ache softened, and peace began to take its place.


Now, when I think of that silence, I no longer fill it with questions. I let it be what it is, a space that taught me the value of honesty, presence, and letting go.


Because some goodbyes are never spoken, but they still set you free.

SIXTEEN YEARS & A CORK MAT LATER…

 LETTER #1: Letter To My Yoga Mat 


Sixteen Years and a Cork Mat Later…


Happy 1st Sunday of the month, everyone!


I’m taking a quiet moment this morning with my tea and my mat, reflecting on years of practice, growth and the little stories that have shaped my yoga journey.


Sixteen years ago, I bought my first yoga mat, knowing very little about mats or the practice ahead. Back then, mats weren’t expensive and I didn’t think much beyond having a space to move and breathe.


Over the years, I tried a few mats, each with its own story. One was a cork mat, widely promoted and beautiful in its earthy colour. I loved it; until I didn’t. After a few uses, my eczema flared badly on my hands and feet. It took weeks, creams, and even specialist visits to realize that my sweat and the cork layers were the culprit. Once I stopped using it, the irritation slowly faded and I could return to my practice without worry.


After completing my 200-hour certification in 2015, I invested in a good quality mat; a significant step up from my earlier ones. Ten years on, it’s still with me, faithful and reliable. My blue mat rides with me everywhere in my car booth, ready for practice wherever I go. 


At home, I have a purple mat for my personal sessions, a little floral one I take to the gym and a few light weight mats for travels. Each mat holds its own memories and energy.


These mats aren’t just equipment. They’re a witness to my growth, my stillness, my struggles and my joys.


This quiet Sunday morning, as I sip my tea and roll out my mat, I feel the familiar texture under my hands and the gentle resistance beneath me. 


The soft morning light, the stillness around me; it all brings me back to presence, to gratitude, and to the simple joy of being here, now.


“Grateful for my mat who’s my daily teacher, and the witness to every small victory and discovery.”


Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and may your reflections bring you peace and presence today.

VISA VICTORY !

After weeks of planning, clicking through forms, and endless anticipation, I can finally say: my visa is officially done! Yayyy!!!

The process felt like a mini-adventure;  trains, MRT, LRT, a bit of walking, a sprinkle of people-watching and then the moment of truth at the embassy. 


I collected my passport on Thursday afternoon; and so! visa in hand, and the countdown to December begins.


Sometimes the little victories feel the sweetest. It’s not just about the visa; it’s about the preparation, patience, and proving to myself that yes, I can navigate this with calm and clarity.


Now comes the fun part: planning, packing, and dreaming of the days ahead in Nepal; a journey I’ve longed for, finally within reach.


Visa in hand, and I survived the embassy adventure; with all my sanity (mostly) intact! 😂


See you next month, Nepal! 😍🇳🇵

A MORNING AT THE NEPAL EMBASSY KL

Wednesday’s little adventure took me to the Nepal Embassy for my visa endorsement; one more step closer to completing my travel arrangements for my Vipassana journey.

I had applied for the visa online and received a confirmation email, so all I had to do was bring my passport and the printed form to the Embassy. 


The process was surprisingly smooth: submit the passport, pay the visa fee, and it was done in about ten minutes.


The next day after 2 p.m., I’ll return to collect it.


Getting there was its own mini journey. I  took the MRT from Surian, switched at Pasar Seni to the LRT, got off at Masjid Jamek (just one stop!), and from there it was only a short 100-metre walk to Wisma Paradise, where the embassy is located.


It’s funny how something that felt so uncertain at first; a new place, new process; turned out to be simple once I took the first step. Sometimes that’s how journeys begin: one train ride, one quiet morning, and a passport on its way to new experiences. 


Notes / What I Felt:


The morning felt calm and purposeful. There was something grounding about doing things on my own. Figuring out the train routes, finding the building, and completing the process smoothly.


It reminded me that independence doesn’t have to feel lonely; it can feel steady, even comforting. Each small task done with intention feels like a quiet affirmation, that I’m moving forward, in my own time and in my own way.


With Vipassana drawing near, this moment felt symbolic too. A gentle reminder that every journey begins before we even pack our bags.