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24/10/24. 3 min read

author at Baking Academy

I am a paniphile – or a bread lover. There was a time when I broached the subject of bread-making to my older sister, and she said, ‘ What a hassle. I will just buy my bread.’

I am glad I was not deterred. When my retired older brother insisted to learn about bread making, I was quite hesitant at first. But knowing that he likes working with his hands and is a perfectionist, who knows? He may turn out to be a very good baker with the potential for a second career.

He has always being proud of his hands, building his craft, painstakingly designing and creating water fountains and painting statues for his customers.

When his shop folded due to high rentals, he was bored to tears.

I tried to enroll him into a bakery course funded by the Govt for seniors to upgrade their skills.

At the baking academy, the waft of freshly baked bread struck me immediately as we entered the premises.

Nothing could be compared, not the world best perfume nor the world best cooked dish. Its distinct scent soothed my soul.

The soft, savory, and scented waft of the warm bread baking in the backroom. of the bakery drifted to us at the reception. I decided to enrol as well.

It was a workshop of three Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm.

I was happy that the instructor was detailed to bring the basics of baking to us which included the principles of making bread, equipments involved, materials required.

It was indeed comprehensive as he emphasised on how the different flour may produce different results. Even the same type of flour with different protein content requires different amount of water that can affect its texture and consistency.

The rate of whisking the mix into a dough, checking when the dough is properly proofed which is allowing the yeast to work its magic of making the dough rise is critical. The handling of the dough must not be over managed.

I love the exact science and art of baking. It teaches me to be dead accurate about measurements, the importance of the speed of whisking the mix and proper handling of the dough.

To smell the aromatic mix, then manipulate it into the desired shape with just the right amount of gentle pressure and then patiently leaving it aside to proof before baking.

I have never tasted such joy in touching a proofed dough. As soft as a newborn baby’s skin, I think it’s softer, with a life of its own!

Then to dust each shaped dough with flour and perform some art by slicing it any which way you like with a sharp razor. The various shapes would split open to reveal their individual designs.

Finally, they were ready to be baked. I liked that the instructor was so intelligent and rational. He sprayed the shaped dough with water as well as the inside of the oven which was to prevent the bread from drying up.

The oven was preheated to the exact temperature and the tray of bread then inserted into the oven.

To watch the bread brown and anticipate its taste was an ascend to paradise.

When the bread was ready, our patience was further tested as the thermometer inserted into the bread showed 90 degrees so they were not ready to be sliced and eaten.

When the temperature finally reached about 40 degrees, we used a bread knife, one with sharp jagged edges in order not to crush the bread slices.

Then we applied butter, jam or any spread you like, and savoured it. It was an indescribable joy, one that restore our spirits.

Baking bread is a blissful activity. You are engaging all five senses – sight, smell, taste, touch and sound(if you consider the timer. used.) You may even develop your sixth sense – an intuition or hunch of better things in life.

Author at 7th longest river in the world

I have finally agreed to come to city X with my husband on 20th Sept 24, after much indecision and trepidation.

They were alot of news about being whisked away or kidnapped at some point to a remote border with its neighbouring country and coerced to become phone scammers under daily beatings which did hog the news for a period. A few detainees who have escaped recounted the harrowing details.

It was much to the chagrin of my spouse who wanted to come back to city X and see how things have changed over 14 years and I was pushing the idea away. Then, in a moment of madness, I agreed and he immediately booked the tickets!

My fate was sealed. I googled ‘ Is it safe to go to X’ and it turned out to be negative news. Then he googled the same thing and read out all the positive aspects of it (selective reading), dismissing negative points as just normal cautionary advice to tourists. Talking about blind spots! He had skimmed over the words ‘unsafe’ and ‘dangerous’.

When we landed at X International airport, he insisted on getting a Grab taxi though we were accosted with many smiling taxi drivers.

Our driver delivered us safely to Courtyard Marriot hotel for which I insisted he be tipped handsomely. and I was already bugging my spouse to arrange a safe trip back to airport on departure day.

Over the next few days, we walked incognito (not to appear like tourists)on the streets of X, dressed in dull colors following our motto: don’t stand out, don’t become targets, and don’t be blur.

I suggested that we both carry the hotel umbrellas(it’s monsoon season anyway) and that could be doubled up as weapons; to jab the eyes, throat, private parts, I said if attacked and proceeded to demo it. My spouse laughed but we knew in our hearts that I might be right.

Over the next few days, we became watchful instead over the hazardous traffic for at the bends of the road, a motor vehicle would often loomed up and screeched to a halt inches before me. The grounds almost tripped us due to uneven paths and unobstrusive obstacles. There were some side lanes laden with uncollected rubbish which contributed to the stench.

Notwithstanding, we did not come across any unsavory characters. We were alerted by the hotel not to flash our handphones on the road which is the case in many countries these days. And to avoid late nights outings.

City X has morphed into a quaint city, a far cry from those days when it was much underdeveloped. Now skyscrapers appear on the horizon amidst old ramshackle buildings and the city looks set to modernise further.

Nice eateries and cafes dot the streets at intervals which is a pleasant surprise. There was good food to be had. There is even a beautiful multi storey giant mall with many shops showing how widespread global. brands have become.

We found that people in city X friendly, respectful and gentle. Locals. generally went about their daily activities in a quiet manner and no unpleasant events were encountered.

A few people may look menacing but they soon gave way to smiling countenances , approval nods and folded hands. A sign of gratitude and welcome gesture. We did the same. They appeared adorable to me.

I had begun. to feel foolish for my deduction of the place as being unsafe from my presumption, imagination, rumours and news even though there was some truth to the occurrences mentioned. Unfortunate events could happen anywhere.

In any case, one must stay positive, do our research as to how and where to move around safely in any country for that matter and not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves.

Assuming the worst would lead to inaction in stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It also increases fear in exploring another country’s history and beautiful culture that could enrich our knowledge and understanding.

Fear is a huge emotion to overcome. Nothing in life is to be feared. It is to be understood and managed.

27th Sept 2024. 2 min read

First posted at medium.com

It’s the start of September, 2024. I feel the cutting edge of time, depleting my hours, weeks and months assiduously and there is so much to look forward to.

Rather than slowing down, I am picking up speed to savor life. I am changing my gears, charging forward. There are many interesting things to learn, knowledge to imbibe, people and events to cherish. But time is limited.

I want an action packed schedule. Being idle dulls me. Boredom kills me. Busy as a bee and a beaver suits me.

Today, I set up my 30 days challenge- a modest one and they say you can emerge unrecognizable 🤣I shall see

1 Minimum 6 hours sleep

2 Drink 1.5 L water

3 Be on time

4 Some sun

5 Cut Carbo

6 Exercise at least 1/2 hour daily/ rock climb weekly, 2X line dancing

7. Read English, Mandarin and Japanese – at least 1 1/2 hours

8 Get organized ( pack) one corner, one cupboard at a time

9 Achieve my baking quality of at least one bread recipe this month

10 Hug and massage my furry companion whenever she is around

11Thank God for three things every night

12 Empty my brain before sleep and let everything go!

Sweet September, I see you at the Top of my mountain.

26th June 2024. 2 min read

In our hurried, busy and noisy world, we are swept along by the demands and drills of daily life that we may forget to take some still moments for reflection.

Consequently, thoughts are sometimes superseded by impulsive responses which may produce negative consequences.

In this respect, it is advised by the wise and those who have gone through the vicissitudes of life to pause and ponder.

As we grow older, we should cultivate being quiet and calm in the face of troubles perceived.

There is the story of the lost pocket watch. A merchant had a valuable heirloom in the form of an antique watch which he liked to show around.

One day, he misplaced the watch while in his warehouse and he ordered his workers to search for it with a reward for the finder.

It was not successful. As the sun set, the hungry workers decided to search again after dinner.

The merchant’s son returned home and heard of the incident. He went to the warehouse and soon was able to retrieve the watch.

Surprised by the young man’s ability, the workers asked him how he had found the watch. The young man said, “I just sat in the corner, focussed and listened for the ticking sound in the quiet warehouse. That led me to it”.

Indeed, cultivate a calm heart and mind. The ancients often said: “Only when you are calm can you be at peace, and only when you are at peace can you think.”

I tried applying this principle in my clinic recently when my Xray software did not present itself on the monitor. The staff was quick to conclude that the software had broken down and restarting the computer did not help. There was a sense of panic and a loss of what to do.

In the face of having to break the news to the patient at the dental chair who had a bad toothache that her Xray could not be viewed, I chose to be calm and consider the options.

We could tell her that we would go ahead with pain relief and present the Xray to her later. She might be displeased.

We could send her to our neighboring dentist for a repeat Xray which was an inconvenience. Finally, it dawned on me to check the server and I discovered that it was not properly switched on hence the software was not active. The patient was successfully treated after a clear diagnosis.

Throughout the ages, anyone who has achieved great things has been able to maintain a state of calm, because calmness is more powerful than being restless and impatient.

When the mind is quiet and peaceful, quietness can lead to concentration and concentration can lead to wisdom.

16/6/24. 3 min read

Author at the Maldives (90s)

It is a calm mind that can accept any situation, analyses, and executes an appropriate action that brings solution, peace, and positivity to the involved person or parties.

To have a calm mind, one needs patience which is a very important trait and a great virtue. Trying to be patient in the first place already makes one testy so it is a personal achievement.

In this respect, you may notice that many people do not pass the 3 seconds test. Just hold your vehicle for 3 seconds when the traffic light turns green and you will be tooted off to move. That is the level of most drivers’ patience.

The ability to keep your breathing steady, knowing that all unpleasant things do not last and focusing on solutions instead of problems will put one in good stead.

After all, getting annoyed, agitated, and even angry. affects one’s physiology and biology impacting one’s health, self-esteem, productivity, and relationships with others.

Things may become worse before they get better. Meanwhile, it’s the rough ride that you go through, your emotions being ruffled and your brain being wreaked havoc.

It is an easy thing to say but difficult to do as it’s the body’s reflexes that reacts to unfavourable situations.

My strategy involved using

1 Acceptance – Do what I can and accept what I cannot.

I can help by looking for the good in the situation. Many times, unpleasant situations bring valuable lessons though painful.

2 Focus – Being solution oriented instead of thinking of the worst that may happen. If the worst happens, we still need to live on with courage and hope.

3 Smile – The power of a smile is under rated. While it is not appropriate to smile when there is a severe injury, a smile can put others at ease and elicit some ideas or answers that may be valuable.

Negative emotions impact everyone’s thought processes.

4 Clear your mind – When all else seems to fail, take a long walk, a restful sleep or an exercise to boost your feel good hormones.

This has a scientific basis.

We are also as happy as we make up our minds to be happy.

Better make being happy a habit.

5 Communicate gently – When one is riled up, it is easy to speak unkindly but that would only stoke the fire, in others as well. Speak gently, rationally and calmly and a solution or at least a compromise may be reached.

A case in point: We were two friends with differing opinions as to how to reach a destination when we travelled together.

As I believe then, that reaching our desired place would be easier taking public access, my friend wanted to drive there.

We ended up on a narrow, winding dirt road which I suggested that we reversed quickly to avoid being stuck in a rut.

After much difficulty, she managed to reverse out and was quite upset to the point that she wanted to return to the hotel and abort the travel plan.

After letting her released her frustrations, I calmly and gently suggested that we return the car to the hotel car park and that we could my method which was tested. By then, she had cooled down and we then had a successful trip to our remote venue.

On another day, we were heading to a destination which I was not comfortable for her to drive there as I do not encourage driving long distance overseas.

I decided to exercise patience and calmness and chose to focus on being a good navigator instead of fearing about the worst.

Eventually, we had a fantastic journey along a road less travelled.

In all situations, stay calm and carry on doing what is best.

Acquire and develop this skill and your relationships will flourish.

21st March 2024. 4 min read

Image From Canva.com

Recently, I wrote about Wabi Sabi which is about embracing the beauty of imperfection, Impermanence and incompleteness in life.

You may read about Wabi Sabi under “Flaws in Beauty” written on 26th January 2023.

This time, I want to add the Japanese principle of kintsugi.

What is Kintsugi? It means golden joinery.

Kintsugi 金継ぎis the art of repairing broken pottery by putting together the pieces using glue made from tree sap and the cracks are filled with molten gold, silver or platinum.

What you get is a beautiful piece of pottery.

Image by Matt Perkins from splash.com

Origin of Kintsugi

Story has it that a 15th century military ruler, Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent one of his tea bowls to China for repair but was disappointed with the result.

He asked a local craftsman to find a more aesthetically pleasing method to repair. The craftsman’s solution was to emphasise the cracks instead of concealing them and Kintsugi was born.

Like Wabi Sabi that embraces our imperfection, Kintsugi also accepts imperfection and aims to make it better.

Lessons from Kintsugi

1 Kintsugi teaches us not to waste.

A broken object is not necessarily useless.

By repairing it using the right technique, we develop a more beautiful object keeping our memories of that object that we treasure.

As each object breaks randomly, the art that ensues is never the same.

2 It also teaches us that in life, we will meet setbacks, disappointments and feel broken sometimes.

Our traumatic events may scar us but we could heal ourselves by filling these cracks with hope, positive attitude, determination, new skills and creativity and other positive traits. That makes each of us unique and precious.

In essence, it is about resilience to the hard knocks of life.

I think of Aimee Mullins whom the world admire immensely. (You may watch her Ted talk presentation on YouTube)

Aimee Mullins is an exceptional person. She is truly inspiring to the world.

As a baby, her legs were amputated below the knees due to a condition called Fibula Hemimelia but she grew up in a very positive environment.

Aimee defied the doctor’s limited expectations. With the aid of prosthetic legs, she not only learn to walk but run fast!

Aimee became the 1996 Paralympic champion in Atlanta, setting three world records in 100m, 200m and long jump!

She also became an actress, successful model, all on prosthetic legs. Nothing could stop her.

Today she is a motivational speaker and her TED talk has drawn millions of people.

She has an amazing 12 sets of beautiful prosthetic legs and could decide how tall she wants to be.

She has given people inspiration, fresh insight and empowerment to anyone who is limited by other’s expectations.

In a sense, it’s likened to practising Kintsugi, becoming the strong, remarkable and beautiful person she is today.

She has inspired many by never bemoaning her fate or yielding to her condition. All the positive traits of courage, creativity, cheer, grit, confidence, positivity, etc are evident.

Kintsugi, a principle I will always try to apply when facing any setbacks or disappointment.