Zsa Zsa Zou

My my..
There's this feeling
inside my tummy
that I can't quite explain.

It's somewhat queasy
somewhat ticklish
somewhat chaotic!

Ooh.. I know
I'm feeling
the zsa zsa zou
making me all
topsy turvy!

I hope this funny feeling
is a sign of
something lovely to come.

Butterflies

"It's actually good if you don't feel the butterflies in your stomach. That way you could see things rationally. Who knows, they (butterflies) might come later along the way."

"But where's the fun part? That queasiness you feel inside is what makes it all more exciting."

Well, I've learned that most times, the butterflies will get you nowhere near happy endings. That all the exciting flutters inside will eventually bring heartache and tears too.

But still...

Should I just go forth with it in a very level-headed manner, or should I wait for the butterflies to come fluttering by?

A Dream of Three Snakes

Previously, I've said that I don't dream when I sleep. Or rather, I hardly ever remembered them when I woke up. Which probably means that I had a deep sleep.

But lately I've been having restless nights which resulted in my body aching when I woke up in the morning or even headaches. I even could remember dreaming though I don't always remember what I dreamt about.

I had a weird dream a few nights ago and it was quite vivid. Since this is a rather rare case, I decided to write it down.

The dream centered around snakes.

I came home holding 3 cages which hold a snake in each. One is petite in size (small and rather short) but it glitters and sparkles as if it's covered in sequins. One is thin and of medium lenght, with orange and black stripes pattern. And one is big like a baby phyton, with the normal greenish brown skin pattern.

I couldn't recall why I bought them, but it couldn't be because I like them (because I'm quite petrified with snakes). But in that dream, I wasn't really scared.

The small glittery snake was rather snobbish or fierce. I picked it out of ts cage and it wiggled and writhed until it finally escaped from my hand and immeadiately disappeared. I tried to look for it but it had run away. I was scared that it went to the neighbor's house.

I remember that there was someone else there who was with me, but I couldn't really remember who.

Then the orange snake was suddenly out of its cage (I don't know how, don't ask). It was rather evil and I felt like it wanted to attack us. But just as it was slithering closer to us and got into an attacking/defencing position, suddenly the big snake came to our rescue.

It devoured the orange snake in one gulp.

I woke up not long after that. In my drowsiness I tried to grasp at what I just saw in my dream, trying to make sense out of it. But as many dreams are, it was bizzare and absurd.

I still don't know if it means anything though my colleague, Varin, is very certain that it does. She said the snakes must be representing a person or a situation (she even googled it down for me).

Anyone here could dechiper the meaning of dreams? Do let me know. =)

The Games That People Play Nowadays: Sleazy

Is it just me or are television game shows have really lost the real meaning of being fun and entertaining?

After people lined up to prove to millions of viewers that, no, they're (mostly) not smarter than a fifth grader, now they're lining up to prove themselves as heartless cold bitches/jerks.

When I first saw the teaser of the latest controversial game show, The Moment of Truth, I flinched at the thought of people who's willing to do just about anything for money (and/or fame), even though it requires them to spill every gory and embarrassing details about their lives (and their loved ones). Stupid and proven to be destructive.

What's more stupid is that many people are actually buying it and enjoying it. As to why people enjoy seeing some people ruining their own lives -- and others' -- I'm kind of lost (and so are they). I mean, where's the fun part? Perhaps to those who enjoy it, it delivers a relief or joy (sort of) to know that there are people out there that are as bad as they are, or maybe worse.

I figured this is like a new version of sleazy gossip show with a twist. What better way to make you the talk of the town? Just spill the juice! The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth -- the ugly ones, of course.

"Yes, I cheated and have slept with 8 men during my marriage."

"No, I don't think my father is a good man."

"Yes, I'm a married personal trainer who likes to look at other men's privates in the locker room."

Yawns.

Please, some skeletons are meant to be hidden in the cupboard, out of public gaze. Too much information is not cool.

Seriously, I'd rather see people racing down the supermarket aisles, grabbing cartons of milk and stacking turkeys into their trolley. I'd much fancy seeing two families battling to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question. I'd much prefer seeing people competing against each other to solve a word puzzle, with an amount of money determined by a giant wheel. or even people guessing a phrase or title that one teammate was drawing on a large pad of paper with markers.

Supermarket Sweep, Family Feud, Wheel Of Fortune, and Win, Lose Or Draw are the kind of games I would see again and again (too bad Supermarket Sweep's not airing anymore). Locally, I wouldn't mind seeing Cathy Bon (from Kuis Keluarga Lifebuoy), Siapa Dia, and Berpacu Dalam Melodi again.

But I suppose these sleazy game shows are still better than local sinetrons. Bah.

In Search of The Perfect...

Ever since I've stumbled upon Ms. Joycelyn's amazingly beautiful (and scrumptious) foodblog, Kuidaore, just a few days ago, I found myself to be immensely absorbed in her impeccable writings and highly art-directed tantalizing pictures. I also found out later that she's not just good with desserts but also very good with other meals too (like hosting a multi-course dinner party) -- she's an object of admiration and jealousy to me. 

I kept on reading and every post seemed to be very inspiring if not encouraging me to pursue my now-forgotten passion for cooking and (especially) baking. 

After too much ohh-ing and ahh-ing over her over the top cooking (and art) skills -- if you look at her creations, such as like these christmas joys, these snowflake cookies, these Marie Antoinette-sque cakes, and these super girlie sweets, I believe you'll react the same (and to think that she's entirely self-taught makes me even giddier) -- I stumbled upon one post last night that made me have a sudden huge craving.

A craving for that sweet fluffy French bread called brioche.

Back when I was still in college, I used to skip classes and hang out at Mal Taman Anggrek with my friends. There were no Starbucks or Coffee Bean yet but we were happy enough to settle at a small and rather secluded place located on the top floor called La Brioche Dorée, which turns out to be an ubiquitous patisserie franchise from France. I remember sitting there for hours just playing cards and talking. I would sometimes buy some pastries to bring back home because they discounted the price after 8 p.m. 

I loved almost everything they serve here. They make the best grilled panini sandwiches (my favorite was cheese or cheese-tomato), I've never met one that's quite a match to theirs up to this day. My sister loved the large creamy mushroom quiche. My mom loves to savour their mini croissants and tarts. 

The brioche itself, of course, is no short of wonders. They made it in a few shapes, from the mini ones, giant ones, and loaf shaped ones, with flavors ranging from plain/original, to chocolate, cheese, and strawberry jam.

Sadly, business wasn't very good for them so they closed down a few years later. I blamed it largely to the arrivals of Starbucks and Coffee Bean, which were more sought after by people here. So there goes my only source of great panini sandwiches and brioches. Shucks. 

Same thing happened to Pain de France, my only reliable source for wonderful (and affordable) bagels, shortly after. When I think about it, I cant help but feel a bit remorseful to Starbucks, especially when I saw them selling bagels for more than twice the price of the ones at Pain de France. Nowadays, I get my bagel fix at Bakoel Koffie, with a price just below Starbucks's. Still pale in comparison to Pain de France's. Again, shucks.

Anyway, back to brioche. While still working in a garment company a few years back, I was quite a regular at Daily Bread which was located a few floors below my office in Kuningan. There, I finally got reintroduced to brioche again. They make good ones, I especially love the whole wheat brioche. It's been a while since I visited Daily Bread, I wonder if they still have brioche in their menu -- I hope so.

So, anyone here knows a good place (in Jakarta) to satisfy my cravings for perfectly good brioche (and bagel)? Comments and suggestions would be much appreciated, thank you.