Mutterings*

If there is one country, where a troubling Human Rights record remains undisputed, that is Saudi Arabia . When I happened to read two seemingly paradoxical news articles published by the Daily Mirror on the same day, SL maid to be stoned to death; ministry files appeal [i] and SL keen on sending skilled workers to Saudi: Envoy [ii] it seemed little has changed since Rizvana was executed in 2013 [iii] . My heart sank to see we are sending more workers, skilled or unskilled, when we should be protesting these executions by not sending anyone at all. See how they handle the labor shortage then. Changes following protests in 2013 were clearly inadequate.  Domestic servitude continues to be modern day slavery. Unfortunately, it also happens to be a main source of foreign income for a developing nation such ours. Given the track record of Saudi Arabia in particular, perhaps our government can be pressured more, to leverage more. Despite attempts at improving the situation of...

I disagree with the view, when one group of people (the french, in this case), are going through an awful experience, turning around and saying, well what about Beirut, Iraq, how come there was no outpouring of grief, huh? huh? While this is true, it...is pointless. Yes, the media is biased in their reporting. No, we have not forgotten what Sri Lankans have endured for years, alone. But does this mean, the French do not deserve our thoughts in this moment?...I am saddened to read and see these events, and find myself fearing the aftermath of these attacks. Intelligent people fall in to a trance, seeking revenge, to teach them a lesson. The wrath of the West. Over and over again, the recent past has seen this happen. Who will "they" react against, exactly? Barbaric acts against civilians anywhere in the world, simply perpetuate an irrational, emotional reaction that spreads more hate, more islamaphobia, even more anti-immigrant sentiment and ignorance. They mask the real...

I'm reading all the wonderful things people have to say about Robbin Williams. He sounds like he was a very good man.  I wonder.  It reminds me of a book I read a while ago. The sense of an ending. There was a very good note left by a character that chose to end his own life. The book dealt with philosophical suicide, which has been something that has fascinated me, ever since reading excerpts from Albert Camus in Myths of Sisyphus which argued against suicide as a way of rejecting freedom and life.  With all the sadness in the world,  I feel like I am leaning more towards the thoughts shared in sense of an ending...wonder how any of us choose to go on sometimes. We are all touched by it, this sadness that goes around all the time, the pain - some way or the other. At one point or another. I remind myself the trick is to really focus on a Pollyanna sort of theory, looking past the negativity. Beyond it. In spite of all the bad things in the world. Desp...

I was reading a blog post I came across, about discrimination against Tamils at the Omanthai check point . It reminded me of my own experience travelling to Jaffna on the bus. I was asleep. Woken up as the bus slowed down. I have an NIC card. I don't know what I look like. Or sound like. Especially around 2am, groggy and tired. I get down from the bus and people are asked to go through the check point.  A farce of a check really, just carry your stuff and go through the line up. Like a military ruling state, which is, I remind myself, what we are. How sheltered we live in our little bubbles. How it must feel like to actually be a Tamil speaking person, and be looked upon suspiciously. I was sleepy. I am walking through the line. Three women, huddled together. In Army uniform. I hand over my id. They open my hand bag and start looking inside. They look over my id. Ask me a question. I forget what it was. I believe, something to the effect of "ah oya sinhalada" an...

I really am thankful to the internet. How easy it is to find any recipe at a whim,  no matter what ingredients one is stuck with at home and play around with wondrous creations.  To learn from strangers in different places, sharing their own experiences and tweaks to recipes.  A wonderful collection of human beings connected together.  Here I am,  moving it forward. Thanking the kind souls that share their own adventures in the kitchen and inspire us to create our own.  A kitchen aid is by the way, a wonder gift to receive. Perhaps a bit over the top for a novice in the kitchen.  But still. Much appreciated. Heartfelt love. xoxox I found the Ciabatta Bread recipe here.  Basically, cut and pasted from the site above:  1 1/2 cups   water 1 1/2 teaspoons   salt 1 teaspoon   white sugar 1 tablespoon   olive oil 3 1/4 cups   bread flour 1 1/2 teaspoons   bread machine y...

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jem_(TV_series) If you ever lived in Sri Lanka and was born in the 1980's, you may remember Jem & The Holograms . In my mind, it falls in to the category of Thundercats, Ninja Turtles, Silver Hawks and a whole host of other cartoons that belong to our childhood. Out generation. Jem was special for reasons unknown to me, many many years later. Mybe it was that very first episode, where their parents had died, foster kids all alone, an empire of a music industry, an evil legal guardian and a mysterious magical gift in the form of Synergy. How could it not be a hit?  Perhaps it was the magic behind it, the romance, the music, the glamour and fashion. Maybe it was the sense of family and love, community and good even in those who were evil, all portrayed through something as simple as a cartoon at that age. For me, I know it was also the first taste of anything soap opera-like. I mean, it was drama. It was crazy story lines and a lot ...

I met a lady who has a snow globe collection and I marveled how pretty and colourful they are. Such a sight of pleasantness that brings a smile.  With just a touch of wistfulness... Who would've ever thought snow globes would make me sad. The thought itself makes me even sadder. Is it the memories? Of innocence lost? I wonder.. I remind myself snow globes were more to me before everything and should remain whatever they were,  after too. My happy place of sparkling snow flakes and little people in magical worlds. Colourful memories. What ever they meant once,  still mean to me. And if I must share them with some unpleasant memories,  so be it. Bitter sweet is still sweet.