My home is a hotel. Except there's no room service after dinner time when my helper retires for the day. I ask my kids to fetch me stuff too, but my hard working diligent helper is the one who brings me 3 meals a day on a tray just like in a hotel. But since I am not supposed to be stepping outside my door, and I don't want the food sitting on the floor to become Coco's meal, she leaves them on a console across the hallway. So unless she texts me saying my meal is there, if I get hungry, I'll open my door ajar slightly and look for the tray with food. Remember, my dog knows I'm in my room so I have to be careful that I don't get spotted by her. I open my door as quietly as humanly possible and grab the tray looking around carefully to make sure Coco is not around. At least, 3 times a day I hear the "mission impossible" song in my head. So far I've accomplished them without getting spotted. Yup, that empty surface is the designated "mommy's meal" spot. Look both ways so Coco doesn't see you!
I can't complain. These meals are pretty darn good. I haven't asked for the meals I want, I am just grateful to get food. But the problem is that I'm still jet lagged and I wake up at odd hours... I don't know about you but when I am jet lagged, I feel pregnant. Bloated, hungry every 2-3 hours, can't sleep through the night...
After the 3rd day, I have asked her to leave me 2 boiled eggs so it can satisfy my growling belly when I am hungry at 3 am, or 5 am or whenever. It worked for one post- meal snack. But then I started to eat meals at odd hours because the meals were left on the console, and I was sleeping through the meal times. So now I think I've eaten about 5 meals and snacks in a 24 hour period. It's so hard to keep up how many meals I've had because there's breakfast, lunch and dinner per se.. they are all consumed at odd hours and at irregular intervals, then there are snacks in between... meals blur into snacks and snacks blur into naps...
The hardest part of being jet lagged and in quarantine is getting back to a workout routine! It's challenging to motivate myself to work out at 3am when the rest of the country is asleep.. even though that should not deter me from sweating my butt off alone... After the 5th day, I finally had the energy and motivation to do it! "Just do it" that Nike motto works for me. (Although I prefer Adidas sneakers for myself and Tayden). Starting is always the hardest part, isn't it? I'm gonna do a barre class after this blog. I'm gonna just do it. No excuses of ... oh but I have a slight headache, oh I should be doing my NY real estate continuing ed class online, oh but I should just reward myself with a Netflix movie... none of that!
I miss having my oldest niece Mirie who was the best workout buddy in NJ, but right now I need to find my own motivation. It felt really good to sweat it out yesterday kicking my butt off with body combat work out! I don't care that I don't look cool and cut as these instructors. And I don't do that heavy breathing and grunting thing that some enthusiasts do. I enjoy the constant movement and the empowerment of punching and kicking something, even if it's just air!
Going back to quarantine meals...These dishes deserve a solo photo, the Indian curry and the onigiris
This red curry made by my generous friend Deepti, comforted and nurtured me for two meals. I didn't get into Indian food until I married Ed. We did a regular takeout from the neighborhood Indian restaurant, and Saag Paneer and chicken curry became part of our regular takeout repertoire. This homemade yellow chicken curry beats any takeout! I was blessed to have incredible meals crafted by my sister while in NJ, and now I am blessed to have friends' homemade meals delivered to me in HK.
Then there's my Japanese friend Yuki who is a phenomenal cook. When she invited you over for a meal, I mean a feast, you better make sure you haven't eaten for two days. Her onigiris are to die for! And it was delivered just as my stomach was starting to growl. The tarako (pollock roe) with fish flakes and plum with fish flakes onigiris were fresh, chewy and scrumptiously flavorful! Thanks Yuki!!
This is how I know I am home. My friends are my family here in HK. You leave one family, and another one welcomes you with open arms on the other side. They are both generous, caring, and it's just my luck they are phenomenal cooks!
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