The Time Of Our Lives

I've been enjoying the privilege of an entirely relaxed weekend, well so far, at least. We wandered across to Parkway Parade yesterday afternoon to munch on some kaya toast. I spent absolutely nothing in Gramophone and Borders, thus striking a major blow in the War on Capitalism, but Noi made me buy a pair of shoes before we left. This was a sad necessity as my only other pair are now broken. (I've seen the term 'broken shoes' before but never really understood it until the sole of the right shoe of this pair fell apart. They don't make them like they used to.)

Then it was time for a nap and a couple of Haydn string quartets until Mei & Boon arrived when it was off to dinner at Serangoon Road. Actually Noi was keen to go to Mustapha's, the big 24 hour store, to buy some rice and we had quite a jolly time mingling with the crowd and admiring the cheap dates and astonishing range of frozen naans and pratas and the like. Ironically we emerged riceless but with intentions to return in fasting month. Dinner was at Sakuntala's (I think that's the name) and was tasty and filling - we discovered a new dish, fried bindi, which needs to be revisited. We were all pretty much exhausted by 10.00. Highly satisfying.

This morning Mark, our indispensable handyman, came round to fix a toilet and a light fitting and give us his usual running commentary on the state of the world. Among other points to note: don't buy China-made fittings in hardware stores - they're crap; and hati mesti baik is a motto to live by. He's one of the most trustworthy people I know and amongst the wisest.

Whilst I wasn't listening to Mark, or Noi for that matter, it was Mozart (a couple or three of symphonies) and Sandy Denny (who always makes me feel a kind of happy melancholy.) In between times I've been reading Anthony Burgess's The End Of The World News which I bought for $2.00 in school the other week.

In the afternoon we made our way to Arab Street where Noi dropped some material off with Alice, her tailor. We are gearing up for Hari Raya already! There was a bit of a market there and we were able to admire the crowds whilst supping tea and munching epok epok outside our favourite café.

Now we're back home and preparing to make our way to listen to the school's symphonic band tonight. Last year we were tapping our toes to an Abba medley so expectations are high. It just doesn't get any better than this, thank you.