I accidentally left my phone in the living room so I didn't hear the alarm and got up at 7am; I was angry with myself and I didn't even bother doing the extra exercises. I was so full from yesterday's banquet I decided that breakfast should be liquid - milk, juice and tea. I skipped lunch because I couldn't be bothered and ended up having some cheese on bread at 4pm, without butter as I've run out. It was a boring day as I just couldn't be bothered doing anything. I've decided not to feel guilty as I'm retired and living alone and so I am only responsible for myself - most of the time.
While doing my walking I listened to a programme on the extinction of the abalone population off RSA if poaching continues at the present rate. It was no surprise to hear that most of the illegal catch goes to Chinese middle men as it's a delicacy back home. It reminded me of going out in a canoe with Clio when she and Alex were taking care of a home on a tiny island off the coast from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. It was low tide so we were able to pry a few abalone from the rocks. I saw their iridescent shell and realised it was used to make 'pearl' buttons in the old days.
Back home Clio invited people for dinner and they arrived in their yacht. Clio had dolled up and was in a long gown while Alex wore his Matheson tartan to prove that he was Scottish; he was actually born in Africa with Scottish parentage. Clio cooked the abalone in butter, milk and some rum. It was a hard job; Mrs Beaton's cook book said we had to remove the snail from the shell but we had to be careful that it didn't die in a state of tension - what a whacky suggestion. To soften it, Clio bashed the living daylights out of it with a wooden mallet. The creature was so rubbery the mallet bounced up of its own accord.
After finishing a part of the meal, Clio and I collected the dishes and took them to the kitchen which was up a short flight of stairs. We'd never used the washing machine but today Clio decided to put the dishes into it. She put some soap powder into it and started the machine. Within minutes there were bubbles coming out of the machine, filling the kitchen and flowing down the steps. The guests didn't see anything as they were sitting with their backs to the kitchen. I grabbed the dustpan and started to shovel up the bubbles and putting them in the kitchen sink. We stopped the machine but the bubbles kept on coming and I kept on shovelling. Clio joined the party and said I'd be cleaning up in the kitchen. I just wish someone had taken a photograph.
At 5pm Samnang came and I gave him a bit of salmon to cook along with rice and tomatoes. He finished off the tomatoes by making a stew with onion and red pepper but he doesn't stop there, he always wants to add more and more things. This time it was some cheese and sugar, which I hate although it doesn't harm the flavour. He chatted away and then I smelt burning - it was most likely the cheese sticking to the bottom of the pan. I knew what he was doing by chatting and cooking - he was trying to avoid going to Chinese class. I told him he had to go as his parents would be angry with me and they might even stop him from coming over which would be a disaster as I'd have to start cooking my meals.
I finally got him out of the apartment by going over to his home to collect the bottles of vegetable juices that I'd ordered from Menghieng. Hieng is a young Cambodian entrepreneur who is juicing organic vegetables - mainly soya, sweet potato, pumpkin and corn. They are delicious, with no additives. I got twenty bottles so that'll keep me going for a while - at $7 for the whole lot, it's a real treat. While I was with Vuth, Grandmother gave me a coconut and Vuth chopped off the top so I could drink the water.
