Lively Home Away From Home

This is dedicated to Aunty The Great Chef, Mrs. Seng, who left for Singapore and her hometown in Malaysia.

Her arrival caused jitters. We weren’t used to an additional person in the house.

The house has surely been made so much livelier with her presence.

She whips up wonderful dishes too. A wonderful chef.

Her trademark soup pot is something I’d surely miss.

I’d always look forward to having hot, delightful and tasty soup when I come home.

We’re quite fortunate in a way; having home-cooked food while enjoying some elderly company… Perhaps a test to living in the greying population?

She doesn’t nag much. She likes to complain about things that happened in the market, the weather, and even the advertisements on TV for being too long.

But hey, even I complain also. TV advertisements are usually 10 – 15 minutes long. It is worse on channels that

We can’t always look at the negative things in life. And I won’t be voicing much my grievances. But I must say that she hogs the TV all the time. She is also entrusted with the care of Beijing Manager’s dog.

That husky dog is a fucking pest. Despite months with us (being the occupants of the house), she still barks at us. That dumbshit dog keeps her proud attitude and continues to be irritating; barking and making noises.

Obviously I didn’t let her off. Not even my own dog at my home is allowed to misbehave. Scoldings won’t do. She even disobeys her masters.

I’d have whacked the dog until it’s afraid of me.

Unfortunately, I have compassion.

Maintenance service is very timely too. A casual mention that my toilet flush has malfunction at 10PM sees the repairmen rectifying the problem by 10.15PM.

Shame the Estate Management service back in Singapore.

This milk is unflavoured but has got a special taste to it.

Aunty’s son is quite filial. Gives Chef Aunt money, milk, necessities, travel around Beijing, etc. She treats her son dearly too. Ensures he gets warm food; the best of the dishes; boneless fish.

A mother’s love seen through and under.

Wonderful amazing delightful dishes! I love her curry dishes. It’s just so fantastic. It’s difficult to get the required spices and curry sachets here. But she still manages Nonya-styled curry.

She has Nonya family background. That explains the cooking genes.

The choice of ingredients is important. There is usually plenty of leftovers for her noodles. They would definitely taste better if she had used better-tasting noodles.

And sometimes, her precious son does not come for dinner. We would all go hungry then.

Order-ins!

Laughter and joy fills the house often. There is not a time for peace and quiet. 小Q will ruin it anyway with barks.

I find it very hard to show my gratitude. I am not proficient in Chinese. Much less if I have to write Chinese letters. I merely sent her a thank-you-for-everything message. She knows very little English even though she lived in Singapore and Malaysia for such a long time.

She makes my overseas internship every bit different from others’.

I doubt I would see her again. I would miss her. Well at least her food!

Thank you Mrs. Seng.

It’s really hard to miss some other things though.

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