My Bitchy Resting Face

Ah, where to begin, I don't even know how to start this post how to translate what is in my head on to "paper" a lot is swirling around. It doesn't feel right for me to start this post without acknowledging what I've been sharing on my socials all week and will continue to do so until justice is served. To put things into perspective, I started writing this post a few days after a black man from America named George Floyd who let's not sugarcoat this, was brutally murdered by four police officer's in broad daylight. There are so many emotions attached to this; one of helplessness and just pure outrage from the continuous racially-motivated attacks against Black communities every day and there being absolutely no accountability, even when the offence committed has been filmed for all eyes to see, it is simply heartbreaking.

One thing this has provoked within me on a conscious level is to really think long and hard about what I can do especially as a WOC moving forward in this blogger space and the wider world. No matter how small or big, what impact does my day to day choices have on my community, what changes do I want to see? I don't want to become numb to this. I can't ignore the blatant disparities in this world. I don't want to continue seeing and reading on the news another racially-driven death, there is in no doubt, a shift needs to happen. On a side note to this, a gentle reminder to anyone out there who has seen the video and most likely triggered by it; do not feel bad if you need to take time out especially for those of us who are still in lockdown due to COVID19 and can't help but keep checking our socials even if it's an hour in the day to do your favourite exercise, bake a cake, go for a walk (if you can) or read a book and most importantly, stay connected to your loved ones. Let’s keep each other lifted, as this is not going to be an overnight struggle. Therefore, we need to make sure we are keeping ourselves mentally and physically healthy in order to continue forward.
Sending you all, Love & Light.
Following my last post Trying to fit into My New Norm, we are now on day 78, week 11...Wow, who would have thought at the start of all of this we would still be here, crazy times! The Malaysian government has since eased off on some of the restrictions we can now go for walks outside, some shopping malls are open and small businesses we have definitely seen within the last week a lot more people out and about, I guess like us trying to have a piece of normality back.
Back in April, this little guy gave us some excitement in the day we live in an apartment on the 14th floor so how this frog got on to our balcony has been a mystery and we have no idea where he disappeared off to, thankfully I can confirm our cats never got to him first.
My husband makes this delicious roasted pepper salad which his grandma used to make and his mum still makes, we have been eating a lot of this during lockdown with fresh bread from the bakery, for the most part, we have been cooking at home that way we get our greens in.
I can still say I don't have a routine, I like to go with how I feel on that particular day which has honestly been refreshing the only downside to that is you don't always get ish done which needs to get done if you know what I mean, however, apart from that I've kinda grown used to this new way of living it will be very strange when we have to go back to what was once "normal" life again.


Since writing this post all four Police Officers have now been charged in the case of George Floyd's murder, to keep updated on this and to find out ways you can support by donation, signing petitions, volunteering and sharing please check out:
www.grassrootslaw.org
instagram/grassrootslaw
instagram/shaunking
instagram/untilfreedom

Today's porridge recipe I am sharing with you is nothing groundbreaking because let's face it if you eat porridge more than likely you know how to make it especially with there being a tonne of recipes online, on the other hand, this is more of a small reminder to myself (ourselves) particularly during this unsettling time to try and create routines throughout the day whether it's doing your fave online exercise, reading, reorganising, a facial, gardening, or even making your breakfast no matter how tiny or big it's those practices which will help give meaning and purpose for the day. I do also want to share in this post, if you are feeling tired, stressed, low, uneasy and you're in a position at home where you can take time out, then take a rest and don't feel any way guilty about it there is no right or wrong. On that note, I do hope you are all keeping well and safe, feel free to share in the comments below what routines you've made for yourselves and what's helping you get through the day.

Here is my Easy Peasy Porridge Recipe for 1, Enjoy!

⭐ Small Saucepan
⭐ Wooden spoon or spatula
⭐ Measuring Cup 1/2 size

Prep time: 5 mins mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serves: 1

Ingredients

⭐ 1/2 Cup Organic Rolled Oats
⭐ Sprinkle of Chia seeds
⭐ 1 Cup of Almond Milk or your milk of your choice

Topping

⭐ Fresh fruit topping of your choice
⭐ Ground Cinnamon to taste -  I use 1/2 tsp
⭐ 1 tsp of honey

Method

My Thoughts & Reflection....

Gratefulness 🌞

I'm not gonna lie, it has and still is difficult for me to maintain some sort of routine but 23 days in I'm learning not to be so harsh on myself if anything I am feeling nothing but gratitude, I currently still have my job (fingers crossed), a space we have made a home out of that's comfortable and most importantly safe, my lovely hubby, food on the table, my fur babies, a balcony to breath in the fresh air and listen to the birds, life is good.

Appreciation 👏

To the people on the front line, nurses, doctors, medical staff, supermarket workers, building maintenance, security, cleaners, restaurant staff, delivery drivers....these are some of the many people that are literally saving lives out here whilst also putting their own lives at risk, when all we need to do is #stayhome !

Connection 📱

Since moving away my communication skills have been lax, I've resorted to using Instagram and FB as my communication tool. You would think living far from my family and friends would be enough of a reminder to keep checking in on one another, not to say that I don't but a note to not take those relationships for granted, be that listening ear, ask how they're coping, send a funny meme, share ideas, photo's of your day no matter how mundane, with so many avenues of communication you can even do virtual group quizzes and workouts together, I guess the moral of the story is for us to try to keep each other uplifted and motivated especially during this unsettling time.

Some snippets of daily life.....

One of my precious adopted cats, Nayla. We have two cats and right now they are absolutely loving having us at home and as I have discovered each morning this is Nayla's morning spot right by our coffee table and it happens to be on the side of the apartment where the sun comes in, she's a sunbather. 

You can find more on our cats here instagram/naylaandninja

Our other little fur baby Ninja who is enjoying his afternoon nap here on fresh bedsheets. They have both been keeping me entertained with their high levels of cuteness.

We have hugely surprised ourselves by only ordering takeaway once in the whole 23 days. My hubby aka Chef Iza has been a wiz in the kitchen with the help of his cousin cooking up the boom Asian dishes! YASS.
Here we had BBQ'd red snapper, two types of sambal (chilli sauce), fried veg and Thai white rice.