Words

The Oriental Odalisque

I spend most of my time drafting letters at my office and reading (this shall include office minutes). I enjoy looking at words. I am not good with grammar. In fact even if I learn a third, fourth or fifth language, I will not have problems in remembering words. My problem is with the grammar.

I have learnt many languages at the intro level. I have made attempts on a few of Indo-European languages. But without a formal environment, I find it is hard for me to acquire those languages. It is a waste.

I do not know what is the short cut. I want to live in a house with many windows. Windows that lead to everywhere.One window that leads to the francophone world, another window to the Arab world, another one to the CIS world through Russian, not to forget Spanish and Portuguese windows that can lead me to the Latin American world.

Words are so important. From group of words, we can have a sentence. From a group of sentences, we can form a language.

I always want to reach out. Can words help me?

Quo Vadis, Adrina?

The Oriental Odalisque

Yesterday as I was driving on the highway, I was thinking, "Is this all what life has to offer?". I am already 38 and I have not achieved something great yet. Well I am not famous as Mawi or Siti Nurhaliza, who are much younger that me. I am not as adventurous as Paris Hilton. I am no Bollywood queen. In fact, I am too old to venture into the film industry now. Life is sad.

Later that night, my elder sister called. I told her about my frustration. She said to me, why not try writing where it seems I have flair in it. Well, I am not so sure whether she is right. Probably I can write in my scrap books or this blog but to give my self a try on serious writing is something else. But on second thought, why not? Adrina as famous writer.Hmmm... Do I need a pseudonym? Nice to dream. Perhaps I have to start to keep on writing now.

My Tiramisu

 


This is my first attempt of Tirami Su. My version is not so sweet. Instead of using vanilin, I use vanilla essence and honey. I also do not use liquer. In the future I can experiment the ingredients will lots of things. Probably a mixture of mascarpone and ricotta cheese. Any type of coffee that you want. All these can brings a bit of a difference. Enjoy! 

The Setting for Date and Time

The Oriental Odalisque

Well, the setting for date and time for some of the collages are a bit off. I don't know why the dates for the photos are indicated much earlier. The marina and the recipe photos are taken between 20th. to 22nd January 2006.

Landmarks of Sungai Petani

 


The first and second photos are photos of HSBC Building. I think it is one of the most unique building in Sungai Petani. It has the colonial touch to it. As long as I remember it is already there. I am not sure when it was built.

The photo at the bottom is the clock tower. It is truly a landmark of Sungai Petani. Like the Leaning Tower to Pisa. It is an old building. The clock tower was a gift from a Chinese philantropist to the town. 

Weekend Chef

 


I proudly present 3 of my creative outputs. I made my own pasta! Yup! from the basic. I made my own pasta dough, shape them and boil them. The first photo shows my spaghetti, the second photo shows my fettuccine and the third photo shows my Panforte di Siena (slightly burnt). In case if we have a second Japanese Occupation (the period of World War 2 in Malaya is also known as Japanese Occupation. That was hard times for South East Asians. We nearly starved. In southern Malaya; there was no rice to eat so people were depending on tapioca as staple food), at least I could survive with my home made spaghetti and fettucine. Just a joke! A mean one. Watch out for next week! 

More of Me at Marina

 



More marina photos. You can see the view of the Penang ferry at the background too. So in another word, you will know where is the location of the marina. 

Adrina at Marina

 


This picture shows me at Tanjong City Marina. Tanjong City Marina is a newly opened marina. It is the first inner city marina in Malaysia. Actually I work with the port which operates it; Penang Port. I wish to do some free promotion here for this marina. Whoever interested may berth at our marina moorage. 

The 3 King Shah Rukh

 


There are 3 Shah Rukhs that made their names into the history books. Of course not in Malaysian history books but history books elsewhere.

The first Shah Rukh is the emperor from the Timurid Dynasty who ruled in 14th and 15th century a vast land which included modern day Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan. He was also known as Shah Rukh Mirza. The Timuris are Tatars who earlier embraced Islam.

The second Shah Rukh, another king, hailed from the Afsharid Dynasty, ruled a kingdom in the 18th. centrury Persia, which is the modern day Iran. The Afsharis are Turks.

The third Shah Rukh a.k.a. the King Khan as he ruled Bollywood is a king in his own right. Shah Rukh Khan is an Indian of Pathan descent. Shah Rukh has brought zest into Bollywood film industry. Before the presence of King Khan, Bollywood has undergone its decline for two decades. Shah Rukh's inherent charm has attracted fans from Morocco to Indonesia, and not to forget all the NRIs abroad. Without his presence to the industry, I doubt there will be a revival of Bollywood splendour . 

Photos of the Wives of Shah of Iran

 


I am still new with this blog so I do not know how to make collage and so on. Anyhow enjoy the photos. 

The Three Wives of Shah of Iran

 


Shah of Iran, the late Reza Pahlavi must be one of the most fortunate men. He married 3 beautiful women. The first one is Princess Fawzia of Egypt. She is the sister to the late, King Farouk of Egypt. To me, she is definitely a Hollywood material if she were not a princess. Or we can say she is a truly fairy tale princess. But beautiful women are not blessed with fortunate lives. She was divorced as she could not bear the Shah an heir to the throne. She has a daughter.

The second wife of the Shah is Princess Soraya. She was born to an Iranian father and a German mother. Soraya, not only could not bear him a son but also children, (regardless of their gender). Soraya was divorced too by the Shah. She went to Europe, trying her luck in the film industry. I would not know whether she has made it big but she used to move around within the European royal family social circle.

The most famous of his wives, Farah Diba. In fact many girls in Malaysia are named after her. She must be Princess Diana of the Middle East during her heydays. Farah Diba bore the Shah a son who suppose to be the heir to the throne. But God has other plans. Iran does not even need a king now.

But Shah is not that fortunate as it may seems. He died while in exile. What is the worst thing to happen to a king? A king without a kingdom. 

My cat, Ta-mew

 


This my cat Ta-mew. He is named after an ancient Egyptian cat. The cat belonged to an ancient Egyptian prince.

Ta-mew is a passionate cat. I have never seen such a passionate cat as he is. I have seen him licking a kitten, something quite rare for a male cat to do.

Ta-mew taught me about love. It's love between human and animal. Like people say love knows no boundary. 

 
 

 
 

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