Unpack and don't pack it on

 I confess with a heart most heavy that I have gained weight. 

I formed a special hatred towards my weighing scale this morning when I decided to be a that girl and weighed myself just to see the kind of effort we are looking at that might need to be put to whip myself back in shape and by the heavens I have gained 3 kilos and this is 3 kilos from the weight that I wanted to lose about 3 kilos from, for vanity's sake, which means that now I have to lose a total of 6 kilos, which means that the effort needed to be put in has to be nothing short of focused. 

Let us round this number to 5 and Let's say I have 5 kilos to shed, and now I have to figure out exactly what is needed to be done to get rid of this poundage. For which I have to be honest to myself and ask why I gained this weight in the first place when during the month of March depression had caused me to lose it all?

The answer is that I ate! and I ate chips, fun flips, more chips, more fun flips and drank lots of coffee, tea and I didn't even care how much sugar I was taking into my system because I had lost so much weight from the stress that getting high and munching was the only plausible outcome, and add to that my tennis elbow and zero workouts!

The affects of my idiocy became apparent a while later, just as the effects of exercising show not immediately but only when you start losing hope, and it was the past week that made me feel like my clothes didn't sit right on me, the way they usually did that is, that my denims felt a bit tighter in places I never thought they were tight earlier and this morning my scale sealed the deal.It didn't stop moving when I wanted it to and my eyes bulged out of my sockets and fell to the floor and I wish I had washed them in acid before popping them back in my skull!!

--

As I was typing this my friend came over and we gossiped for a good part of 3 hours and now I have lost my train of thought

The whole point being project weight loss is a go go!!

Yes please

Who me? 

Making uttapamon for lunch because I have the most perfect dosa batter fermented to exactly the right stage I want and this will keep for a few days. My lunch issues resolved for a while. 

T’was fun!

I got dressed up for Halloween and I was the only 'no face' out there and there wasn't a single witch, Harry Potter, fairy or Elsa who didn't gasp or take cover or click pictures of moi! 

I even made a child cry! 

Mission accomplished!! 

It was so much fun trolling. 

Updates

Today
I ate hotpot (everything vegetarian)

Couldn't find a taxi to go to the vet to get Meera his yearly vaccination cuz our area is in high risk and no taxis are available

Contemplated buying some colourful plants for front yard and didn't buy

Drank 100mls beer which tasted like tepid water

Forgot to wear my sunscreen

More

3rd season baby!! 

I have work to do! 

This noon

It's been a while since I saw so many people gathered. There was some school fair going on and a small band of little kids playing music. Hence the confluence of sheep. 

Mistakes

Of course I'm upset with myself.
I woke up at 8:47!
All my chores got pushed forward two hours.
I'm quite angry with myself

Hazard

Garbage collection in a PPE

Too many things

I am wrestling
A bunch of demons
A neck ache
A building head ache
An urge to be lazy
A wish to not cook dinner
A desire to eat out

What's gonna win?

All in

Lunch was a spicy Thai flavoured noodle salad with chicken and some veg, dotted with toasted peanuts and doused in a dressing that was so zingy it almost brightened up this dreary water logged rainy day. 

And now

Morning and the hunt is on. 

Some poor flying insect is trapped in the bedroom and the cats are treating it like a circus. 

Need

How fantastic is this tee? 

Book forward

Why does this current book I'm reading feel a bit like 'mills and boons' but for adults?
I hope this gets better because no matter the weirdness I'd felt with reading 'invisible' by Paul Auster I can say that book was extremely well written, offbeat and most assuredly a thing for grown up readers who wanted something to off balance them and it really did read well. The narration was most definitively noteworthy.

'The lucky one' by Nicholas sparks the first 100 pages have been a bit fluffy in a way that there is the good the bad and the pretty and all done stereotypically.
Let's see.
I shall update.

Tuesday

Lunch was tofu and seafood kimchi stew with noodles which I also took pictures for the blog. 

And done!!

Not a strenuous but consistently tiring forty minute long cardio workout with both low and high impact exercises and drop of Pilates thrown in. 

And done

Am I exhausted? 

Yes but not nearly so. 

Among other things

Saffron tinted kheer with no additional flavourings except a golden bloom of zafran! 

Live and kill others

Talking about bad mood my love?
Try this in for size and maybe feel better.

My ex neighbour, the same person who'd let go of sheru had been planing a visit to come over to my house to meet sheru and last week she asked me if she could come today, Monday that is.
She sounded eager and a bit out of it and so I agreed, and in fact even sent her a welcoming message telling her that I would be glad for her to visit and looked forward to meeting her.

I was scarcely done pouring water in my French press when she sent me a frantic message that the guard at the compound gate wasn't letting her in because she didn't have a 24 hour valid covid test result, as she'd got her test done this morning itself and the results weren't yet reflecting on the code!

She then continued to tell me that the guard not only didn't allow her inside but also told her that he won't allow anyone from compound to meet her either as he was unsure about her.

She told him over and over that she's been tested this very morning and that the results will be out any minute but the guard didn't relent and told her to leave since her car was blocking others.

That I was singularly annoyed would be an understatement and I rushed out to meet her but she had left by then.
When I reached the compound gates I saw the guard armed with a scanning device to check the codes and the time since last test, and here's the kicker, I missed tests the past couple days and my code ain't valid for 24 hours either.
Which means that if I leave the compound I won't be able to enter because right at the gates in huge annoying posters there's instructions regarding the tests and that only those with valid 24 hours test can enter.

Turns out our area falls under high risk and these are the steps being taken of which I wasn't aware cuz I've been living in my own little fantasy world.

Basically I'm pretty much trapped inside until I get the test done tonight and we are required to get tested everyday until November 12.

I am so angry that I'm almost calm now.
That person who'd come all the way to meet sheru is now planning another visit and will get tested in advance and I want to set this fucking city on fire and burn every PPE suit in existence.

Happy Diwali my darling.

Here now

I know. 

This isn't something I'd usually go for. I mean a best seller? What am I going to read next? Another best seller? Who knows? 

The thing is I didn't expect to pick this up from the pile of books my friend has thrown my way, but I was willing to try, seeing how I loved every book I picked. 

This synopsis here looks good. They say it's a romantic story and I'm here for some delicious romance that is the offbeat stuff, you the kind I'm talking about. All that's not totally sweet that has an underlying acrid taste of madness..the kind you don't find in insipid romantic novels . 

I mean why not? 

Also, I don't know of this author, never heard of him but it might be good. 

And I'll tell you that it has that gripping quality to it. Like it's easily read the moment you open the book. 

also, the jack reacher book I read was sort of fantastic! 

I think I'd like another book to read from the series. 

Any recommendation? 

This afternoon

Who me? 

At the park 

And you? 

Words stuff

WTF, टमाटर is such a funny word.
I've been saying it for a minute now and laughing like an idiot.
What even?!

Words stuff

WTF, टमाटर is such a funny word.
I've been saying it for a minute now and laughing like an idiot.
What even?!

And this now

I am one for leisure and forever will be because sitting for hours an end in a sunlit balcony during autumn with a jug of preferred beverage while cooling breeze plays in the background will never ever be something I'm willing to skip on.

Right now, I finish another book, drink water, have a hair pack sticking to my hair while a posse of winter clothes hang on to their dear lives under October warmth to let go off their storage smell, all in the comforts of my balcony.

I could have done this in my backyard too, but my backyard faces north, and currently all the sunshine is south, which is where my balcony is located.

These fleeting moments of joy are best enjoyed when all the chores are done, the house is cleaned, the lunch is decided, the dishes are washed and there is enough time to dedicate to nothing.

TGIF

Homemade

Updates and stuff

Almost noon and I sit on the couch like I have nothing to do, when in fact the chores have been put off today because of how mad my migraine was this morning when I woke up! 

Picture this, you get up at 6 in the morn and nausea the size of Australia is accompanying your still sleepy frame because everything from the shoulder up hurts like it's been given some loving via sledgehammer. 

My neck is in tatters because I have no idea. It just is. And it has managed to kill my head in the process. 

I woke up, made tea, ate some food to line my stomach, popped in a pill and sat down quietly until the world around had stopped spinning. 

A few chores later I booked an appointment for a massage for 2 in the afternoon and I sit annoyed at my neck, wondering what exactly did I do wrong yesterday to have it so fucked today! 

The answer might have something to do with wearing additional clothing due to winters that puts a strain on my neck sometimes but I need to be more disciplined about my neck exercises. 

advise

 Today

I asked a friend for help. A dear friend whom I have known to brave some of the most tumultuous past couple years with problems similar to mine, except they were double fold since not only was she in a similar situation with her FIL, but currently her own father is coming out of a most grave episode and she's in it deep, living it everyday, looking at it all stare her in the face while she goes on being the amazing woman she is, handling her job, her family, her life.

I told her that I didn't know the right words, the right things to say to console or help someone, that I didn't know how to not feel so hurt or depressed or sad, that I feel clueless on this path.

She told me "Don't worry. face it, It will make you brave and wise. Stay strong."

I'll try, but fuck I'm gonna cry a whole lot. 

Sighs

The Vpn is not working once again but here's my lunch! 

Lounge

Morning. 

Strike a pose 

Eugh

My mood broken
My thoughts scattered
My vpn not working

And scene

Been quite the day 

Actual size

Upon further investigation I realise it's not too small.

Things online

This is such a cute timepiece or whatever it is. I can't understand the dimensions of it but it doesn't look too large. In fact it looks a bit tiny. Like no larger than a wristwatch. Perhaps. 

Oh dear

Trying to order some veggies on dingdong and there is no stock left because of the thunderous panic buying.
I will have to step out and get some stuff and I'm not happy about it.

Well well well

So this lockdown has started in a nearby area, about 2 kms from where I live because of the increased cases and if this shit travels to my compound I will have a stroke. 

Sad and funny

Making samosa's for people today to cheer his face after a long call from home that was quite detailed on the anguish being suffered by the FIL and lasted an hour.. and I'm currently laughing because my samosa's look a bit like Jabba the hut had an autistic baby with the talking hat from Harry Potter

Wouldn't you say? 

And now

Dynamic policy!!

Now whether one wants to exit or enter their compound their health code has to be shown to the guard who scans it with a handy machine to log into the centre admin to know exactly who went out and came in.
Did I tell you that if my health code isn't displaying the validity that is within 48 hours of test then I won't be allowed to enter my own compound, I cannot enter MY OWN HOUSE!
I can't exit the compound either and I will be required to remain indoors and get a test and exit only when the results come out in the negative!

Fuck this shit!
I am done.

Dinnah

One more time

The testing line today in the compound!! 

Most people including me have been asked by the municipal association to get tested regularly for the next 3 days as I was in the neighbourhood of a high risk area as were most people because the cases are on the rise here in Shanghai. 

Once again I find myself panicking, palpitating. 

Lunch

Stretching out

Today I am somewhat relaxed. 

This has been a long week. A seven day long working week and finally I will enjoy my Friday. 

Yes, there's a few things to be done but other than that there's only pizza to be made for evening celebration and what am I if not a pro at it? 

So here I am, lounging in the balcony with my darling.

Fri morn

My darling Gogi 

Just barely tolerating the vagaries of this world 

Maketh

Who me? 

Baking a cake 

And you? 

Just a little judgy

Quick quick fast

A moment to myself before I hit the day running, nay smash it with my thunderous sprint!! 

Tea and black channa salad for small breakfast and then a shower and then a small lunch and that's it! I'm outta here.

Right now

Who me?
So annoyed I could kill somebody
And you?

Cry cry

I am falling behind on my to do list!
Today got stupidly messy for no reason except the lack of punctuality of a courier company and tomorrow I have to do work that I was meant to do today.
I need a small space to breathe.

Meera is crying to be let out and I have to keep him entertained or loved or fret over him all the time.
I'm so done.
I could just evaporate.

—/

The sun is fading but still warm
My coffee is robust
The courier guy yet to pick up my courier

Little one

My fat furry joy 

Sharpening knives

Who me?
Angry!!
Why?
Cuz I need to send a courier and the person picking it up informed me he'd come between 9-11 today and it's 12.
I had to go out for a bit but that's not happening cuz I'm still waiting for the guy to show up.
Today's shower was the quickest I've known cuz I was worried the doorbell would ring the moment I hopped into the shower but it didn't happen.
Here I am drinking tea out of anger instead of having lunch and I am going to have a few things ha to say today.
Yes sir! It's an important at courier!
I am seething!

Apathy come get me

Today has had me in tatters.
That I'm a bundle of frayed nerves would be a statement most exact because it's been one thing after another what with Meera and his non stop meowing to get out of the house, my migraine and lack of sleep from last night cuz of, yes, you guessed it, Meera's constant meows for attention and wanting to go outside to unlimited chores that kept snowballing into an avalanche, which reminds me that I've still a few things left to do, and at least I'm not cooking dinner today! Phew!
People are in the kitchen and I'm only tasked with raita.
My face betrayed my condition which was of utter devastation and annoyance because I've not been able to keep up with the constant noise of my poor cat wanting to leave the house along with a hundred things that were a part of my domestic geomorphology, add to that the pain of everyday testing because Shanghai is on high alert!

I don't know where I can find a platform strong enough to bash my head into smithereens.

Hah

The main character in BNA is a tanuki, the exact same species that roam around this area here. The raccoon dog!!

Oooh baby

One of my favourite comforting recipes because it's spicy and sour and hot! 

This is a kimchi stew with pork, tofu and snakehead fish which is by far the most delicious fish I've eaten. 

Also in here is some udon noodles which is what makes this soup a bit of (con)fusion kimchi stew. 

But it's wholly delicious. 

Maybe I'll put up a recipe for this soon. 

Inaccurate kimchi stew

This weather has me yearning for all that is umami! 

Somting lost

I miss my laid back exclusive tea times.
Something about it these days makes it like a hurried step in my very functional day.
I do not want that to happen!
I'm a lover of all that's hygge and my tea time was my moment of tranquility.

Now my tea time is just another chip in my brisk day.
We can't have that!

—-
Edit: I don't why this post didn't make it? . I'd written it a couple days ago.

Lunch love

Lunch was a heaping bowl of tofu and bacon fried rice and millet cuz why not?! 

Tea this morn

It's that time again. 

Spirit animal

he's so done!!

Misses

Nighttime and the wind blows
The heart reminisces
and momentarily slows
Before beating quick
And wanting you
A moment longer

Meera again

Another day in the hospital and looks like he's doing much better.

Been a while

In the mood for bacon sandwiches 

Didn’t realise

I did walk a lot today but I didn't know it was all this much! 

Me era

And now

About to visit Meera.
The hospital is only 2 kms away and the weather is cool.
My scooter is in shop because there's a problem with its rear tyre and so I'm gonna take a walk.

Long post updates

That it's a Saturday and working in China isn't a surprise because this is the norm here.
After the week long national holidays it will be an entire working week which includes the weekend.
Yes, that's how it's always been and I look at the morose faces of people who've to work on weekend I feel almost cathartic because it's a 7 days long working week for me as well.
:(

—
Right, I've been MIA
Mostly because yesterday I noticed an odd situation happening on Meera's head of which he seemed totally oblivious.
I saw pus oozing out and his fur had clumped into a small thicket.
I cut his hair much against his struggle and cleaned the wound which I thought was something that would heal as all his wounds do.
A few minutes later I saw the same formation of pus in that area again.
I had to take him to the vet, and this is Meera we are talking about.
He's extremely polite but also wild and unwilling to be held or caged and first I had to line his cage with cardboard or else I kew he'd break his claw trying to escape and that would be another issue to deal with.
After that I had to somehow get Meera into the cage which took a good bit of my morning.
After that it was to the vet we went.

The vet didn't understand the gravity of the situation at first as he clipped at his clump of hair and told me it's a small wound and that it would get fixed soon, but as his razor found more area to shave the fur there was quite the revelation.

Two puncture marks dug in deep on the top of his head. Both infected, both oozing pus.
The doctor tsk tsked and got about cleaning it.
Thin plastic tube had to be inserted in both holes and a cleaning liquid was then injected to wash them out.
The doctor told us that it was probably on account of a big fight with another cat and that he need to get this cleaning procedure done twice everyday for at least a week or until there was no longer pus!!
Also antibiotics on top of that.

Of dear!!
Meera has been kept in the hospital and they're telling me that once the holes are smaller I can take him and administer this process at home.

Dear gods!
Meera isn't going to make any of this easy.

Anyway!
That was my day yesterday.
A lot of phews!!

Walked a lot

Didn't think I was that active today. 

Wha ??

Did Daiso open in India????
My word!
It's my absolute favourite shop.

Always a first time

Yesterday I chanced upon a pick up truck carrying this in the back. And I have so many questions! 

No doubt it's being delivered to some Indian association event but where did it get made? Was it imported or is there some speciality store that makes these statues? 

What are they gonna do after? Does it get immersed in water or is it put back in storage for next year's puja? 

Tea bit

Autumn officially and I'm gonna try this tea.

Outside

An iconic Shanghai building called 'Wukang mansion' 

I look at the cross

'Change' is by far the most definitive deftones song ever.
Absolute fave \m/

From that time

If you've seen this once you've seen it before 

On top

Right above my head today 

1234

cat attack!