My first....

So, it’s 09/09/09 – the ninth of September in the year 2009 and it’s 23 C. I’m sitting outdoors at a Starbucks, here in the most European of cities in North America – beloved Montreal. There is not a cloud in the sky…only pristine blue as far as the eye could see

I’m doing this for my friend Arzee. He’s someone from my glory days at McGill U. We were there 20 years ago. Arzee no longer lives in Montreal, having returned to Malaysia upon graduation. However, mention McGill and Montreal and it is as if his own personal silver screen that is made up of memories comes immediately to life. Sights and sounds of days gone by. Feelings experienced whilst in one’s youth: the insecurities of a young adult ... the burden of doing well at school ... the freedom to party whenever you wanted to ...the responsibility of paying one’s own bills... the thrill of one’s first relationship ... the sorrow of one’s first break up ... he loves me, he loves me not ...the regret of never having loved while in the prime of life ... the privilege of having experienced more wonders than money can buy ...

Many years have passed.

Arzee and I are still the best of friends. At least I think so. Girl and boy, one in the West, the other in the East. One forever cautious, the other larger than life. One Christian, the other Muslim. One reads, the other dances. Sometimes polar opposites but always caring friends. He is like the big brother I never had. More like twin brother as we are the same age.

Back to Starbucks, I am here mainly of my own volition ...partly coz I received a gift card for Christmas. Otherwise I could never afford such visits on my teacher's salary. One coffee could cost as much as a whole lunch for one adult! What amazing new vocabulary to learn – mezzo, grande (pronounced "grun-day"), venti….(why can’t they keep to small, medium and large?) I am outside of my comfort zone but I press ahead. RZ said – try everything once.

I had to do some research before I came…can you imagine? Such a sheltered life. I actually asked around what people’s favourite items were AND I even googled the Starbucks menu so I could make the best choice with my little gift card. Odd? Weird? No problem. I still love myself no matter what you think.

Seeing as it was a beautiful summer day in September, of course I had to go with something iced – specifically a Mocha Frappucinno – an iced blend of espresso, chocolate, and milk. I tried to be responsible and take the “light version” and asked for skimmed milk ... but I was so quiet and unsure with my ‘demand’ that the waitress…wait…I think the word is “barista” (LOL!) heard it as ...wanting “whipped cream” with my order.

So instead of repeating my request for “skimmed milk” (did not want to draw attention to myself now, the virgin Starbucker), I just smiled and nodded. I pay with my gift card and about 12 seconds later, after some whirring sounds, she twirls to the other side of the counter and announces loudly, “One Mezzo Mocha Frappuccino with Whipped Cream…bla bla bla” ... I did not catch the “bla bla bla” coz I was horrified she was telling the world of my order ... and coz she “twirled” to the other side of the counter, I was no longer in the right line of coffee lovers (not that I am one, as you can see from this posting). Loser!!!

Anyway - I picked up my drink… I could see I got a domed cover thanks to all that Full Fat Whipped cream (hey – my friends told me to live dangerously and so I am!)…went to look for a straw and napkin ....and wow ....found more things to learn. Nestled in between napkin dispensers were 4 little what looked like salt and pepper bottles ...only they held what I assumed were toppings for one’s coffee.

Aha! See?... See?... I’m not all that backwards! There were 2 powders I could not identify and the other two were cannelle (cinnamon) and mocha…so of course, I chose mocha.. Hellooo!!??? I was having a Mocha Frappuccino, remember?

So, a nice sprinkling of mocha and I have to now look for somewhere to sit. Wow…what a place. Coffee houses have changed since I was a kid. This one had clusters of comfy armchairs as well as traditional warm, rustic chairs and table. Of course, the terrace was open ...guess where I went? Arzee – just for you, I took my precious drink outdoors. You see, I do not enjoy being in the sun as most Canadians…but hey…some things are worth doing for the sake of friendship!

The terrace was sprinkled with bistro sets, little round metal tables with metal chairs. Most of them were taken as Canadians take every opportunity to be in the sun. There was one left and that is where I installed myself, opened my laptop, took out my camera and began recording this first meeting with Mr. Starbucks.

For what reason, I am unsure. One may be that I felt I should enjoy the road I am on, here in Montreal, for my friend who is not here but wishes he was. So ... my dearest Arzee, this afternoon is for you ...for encouraging me to take time for myself ...for teaching me that I am fortunate, exactly where I am, ...for reminding me that sometimes, life’s little pleasures can come in clear plastic glasses with domed tops ...especially if enjoyed in the outdoors underneath the bear hug of a sunny, summer sky.

Je’ t’aime, mon ami.


PS – that Mocha Frappuccino was so sweet...and coupled with the whipped cream, probably took half of my entire day’s worth of calories. Thankfully, I have just a “humble-sized” gift card – I can only afford another one and a half of these decadent drinks :-D

My first...

A few months ago, I was minding my own business, enjoying a leisurely wake up routine on a weekend morning...had just brushed my hair and twisted it up to secure with my customary hair clip when I saw a glimmer. What the... ?? I KNOW my hair can be yummy and glossy....ON a GOOD hair day, that is, but this shiny? No way!

I twisted my head this way and that and finally the perfect shaft of light caught the culprit. Nestled among still beautiful, silky black hair, sat sanctimoniously, one pristine white one! Aaahh! Eeeek! The violins from the movie Psycho sudddenly crescendo around me!

Oh ... my... goodness! I have NEVER been known to be vain...and that day, I discovered that perhaps even I, had a vain streak in me. I had no idea this would be my reaction to the discovery of my first white hair. I mean...it's inevitable, right? We all age?

So - why exactly was I "aahh -ing" and "eeek-ing"? Was it a sudden reminder of my biological clock? Er.. nope, have not seemed to care about that in a while. Was it because gosh darn, now I will have to consider colouring my hair like most of my friends? Err...don't think so either.

So, what was the big deal about one measly cylindrical, keratinized, often pigmented filament, growing from the epidermis of a mammal, namely me? I'm gonna disappoint you. I have not yet found my answer. Note, I said MY answer...not THE answer.

Some weeks later, a cherished friend suggested I take a look at hip fashion magazines to have an idea what was "hot" and what was "not". I took his suggestion, to come away from the magazines quite disturbed. Almost every page I turned was a suggestion that this was the "must-have" item...that was the "must-have" look...and over there was the "must-have" hairdo. Instead of feeling great, I felt lacking. Probably also coz all the women featured looked like they were about 5 foot 10 inches tall, maybe 120 lbs tops...with smooth flawless skin, glowing hair, wearing clothes and accessories which cost was similar to an entire year of swimming lessons for both my kids!

I don't want to age thinking I'm not good enough! I AM GREAT! I have been around the block, I have seen things, experienced others.... loved... lost... lived through it all. I am better than I have ever been AND I am NOT in my 20s!

There is one company though, that I believe, have a great message about true beauty. Dove has a beauty campaign that I love... encouraging women of all looks and sizes to be mentors to young girls growing up...to teach them what true beauty is all about. It's not all about being a size 2 or size 0 (What on earth is a size 0?? A whisp of thin air??) It's about being comfortable in your own skin, it's about seeing beauty beyond the skin. Here's a look at one of their commercials. Hope you like it and that I attached it properly. I loved it. If someone can do my hair and make up and then airbrush me too, I would look just as awesome as the model. Even so, without all the extras I mentioned, I believe I look just as awesome as the model. The video, can be found on Dove's website and is called Evolution (in case I posted this wrongly)

Dove Evolution Video on Youtube

Kids Say The Darndest Things ... including my own

Wow - long time no blog. Too little time to do too many things. Intimidated by the numerous interesting and beautiful blogs out there too. Reminds me of something I read recently...lemme see if I can remember - Envy makes it hard to have friends. Everybody has something I don't have.

Yeah? Yeah!

So, my brother has said that he enjoyed my earlier writings (not posted) that were borne of my funny bone. 'Tis been a bit hard to find funny things in my adult world full of adult-sized responsibilities lately. But I will try to find my way back... maybe by way of my kids.

Here's what was heard today. Kiki (girl) is 9 and King Tee (boy) is 6.

Me: Hey guys! (after getting off the phone) Wanna go to Amber's birthday party ?(Amber - neighbour and not her real name)

Kids: YEAH!!!

Kiki: But Tee, it's gonna be a princess theme okay coz she's a little girl so don't be a baby about it.

King Tee: I don't care. I LIKE birthday parties. Be'coz everbody's happy and everybody has fun and people get presents. When's the party?

Me: This weekend. She's turning 5.

King Tee: Five??!!! (stunned!...and he puts his hand to his brow..) They grow up so fast..

LOL!!!