Today marks the second year of my ten cents blog. This is usually the time when one recollects his or her blog-related experiences in the past 12 months. Yawns, I hear? I feel that blogging is very much like children. The older they get, the less adorable they are and the more you have things to say or complain about them. There are days when taking care of them feel like a chore. But deep down, you still love them. And as the years go by, you tend to understand them a little better. That’s when you’ll chill and just let nature takes it course, for better or worse. I find myself wanting to write more this year and because my Piscean thoughts work in a mostly arbitrary manner, I thought it would be good to generalize them into a few ideas.
1) Evolution
There’s no way in denying change. You just have to come to the terms and try appreciating the new discoveries and facts. As I blog, I understand that perhaps it’s not a food blog that I wanted. Ask a random person on the street and most probably, they’ll tell you that a food blogger is an online food critic/expert (scary isn’t it?), which I don’t think I’ll fit in. I’m more comfortable with just eating (which is easier to understand) and share my experience. It’s more fun this way. The food blogging scene, to me, has changed quite a bit since I’ve come to know of its existence. It has gained credible acceptance and popularity for its connection with netizens. The drawing factors are that food blogs are real, honest, educational, informative and collocates with simple words like delicious, yummy and nice that the yous and mes can relate to. With acceptance and trust come opportunities and interests in other aspects. It’s industrious and/or fun, in my opinion. But I have this to say; that with each action, it should subsist of integrity and good nature as to not mislead. And when I hear of my food blogging friends gaining recognitions through their honest talents and efforts, I am truly, truly happy for them.
2) Humble pie is delicious
This year, I was lucky enough to have met a few new friends who blew my mind with their knowledge in food. Just give them 10 minutes, a food topic and be mesmerized by their sharing of food thoughts. Not being masochistic but to be slammed by them for my inadequate and often, senseless food ideas is humbling. And there were my cooking and baking whimsicals. I like to deconstruct recipes, just to make a statement. Sounds good but the fact is, it’s crap. There was a time when my supposedly pecan/yoghurt cake turned into some sort of baked porridge. Once, my banana bread was so hard, I could have easily used it as a brick. Basics, my friends, are important. For a beginner like me, at least. So, I started all over again, with a basic butter cake. Over a few months of practice and equipped with some dependable recipes, I think I’ve started to understand the science and art of things. I’m still sticking to cakes and dishes I know best, and trying out some new, practical recipes once in a while. Hopefully this time next year, I’ll be able to present a better report card.
3) *Chik Chak*
Seriously, I think there were times when I would choose photography over blogging, as a hobby. Simply because results are almost instantaneous, with the same amount of creative work being put in. I update my photography archive more often than my blog! But then again, the ideal hobby should combine all the elements of one’s best interests, hence the blog. There are usually complaints that food turns cold as pictures are being taken. I am guilty of that. But hey, I’ll try to improve on my speed lah, ok? We’ll request for reheating if we have to. Joke.
4) Work hard, eat hard
Over the past year, I’ve heard of family and friends falling sick for the simple reason of negligence. And being a food fan, I guess I’m more susceptible to health issues like diabetes and heart diseases. Oh, eating disorder too. Inspired by my friends, I started running again. Don’t expect much because I’m slow. My aim is always to finish than to finish in time. The last few months saw me eating healthier on weekdays and indulging on weekends. So, the 4 stomachs rule only applies on weekends and special occasions. There’s no secret to good health, I guess. Just a wiser choice and sensible amount of food. It doesn’t mean that I don’t take lard anymore lah, kan? I’m still very much a babitarian. Just run more to burn off the excess lah.
5) Food, friends and foes
A relative once told me that a good person is one who enjoys food and music. I find that quite true. Through the interactions on this blog and beyond, I’ve made some really good friends. Friends who appreciate all kinds of food and are silly, cool, honest and fun. Our gatherings have been greatly misunderstood as a reason to get drunk. Really, it merely adds some sparks to our already crazy parties. And there were food crawls and makan sessions. I remember many times when the food was so good, we all smiled almost simultaneously. That’s cool. And real. I’m not skeptical but there are times when I find hosts on tv shows rather fake with their oishi or orgasmic expressions. Then again, it’s partially commercial and that’s how it works.
Wow, that’s quite a load of s*_^ that I’ve said. I wonder how long the third anniversary post will be like.
