HOLIDAY is over and I'm back into this time and space, trying to fit in. It's almost 3am now and I can't sleep. Current time in Doha, Qatar is about 10pm, and usually around this hour, all throughout last week, I was dining in some place nice with a bunch of fun-loving friends. I must say the city has some truly impressive restaurants. A real test to my child-bearing hips, tease to my tastebuds. I'm still thinking of that ever-so-yummy Wagyu Steak from La Cigale (hotel) and at this quiet hour, it's even more tempting because I'm really hungry!
A survey in the kitchen turned up a high pile of chocolates, a box of Taiwainese pineapple shortbreads, a container of assorted nuts (unsalted) and dried fruits, a variety of instant noodles, some cookies and cheese, and my dad's pickles. Funny thing is I don't really eat these things (except for the nuts/ fruits, cheese and pickles) but they still somehow end up in my shelves. What I really would like right now is something cooked, warm and mild like a nice bowl of Pork and Wintermelon Herbal soup. Bliss.
When I arrived this morning, I was dozing off while I still had food in my mouth and spent the entire afternoon in a sweet paralysis of sleep. And now I'm contemplating if I should even Zumba! So I'm very much awake and that means I'm jet-lagging or temporarily facing disruption of normal circadian rhythm caused by high-speed travel across several time zones in a jet aircraft, resulting in fatigue, disorientation, and disturbed sleep patterns. Hmm, do you think I can get off work for that? It does sound massive when put that way though.
I get a day off tomorrow and then I'm back to work. It's usually a good thing. Work is like the perfect jet lag antidote as it forces me back into routine and rhythm but till that happens, I'm not liking these hungry early mornings.
A survey in the kitchen turned up a high pile of chocolates, a box of Taiwainese pineapple shortbreads, a container of assorted nuts (unsalted) and dried fruits, a variety of instant noodles, some cookies and cheese, and my dad's pickles. Funny thing is I don't really eat these things (except for the nuts/ fruits, cheese and pickles) but they still somehow end up in my shelves. What I really would like right now is something cooked, warm and mild like a nice bowl of Pork and Wintermelon Herbal soup. Bliss.
When I arrived this morning, I was dozing off while I still had food in my mouth and spent the entire afternoon in a sweet paralysis of sleep. And now I'm contemplating if I should even Zumba! So I'm very much awake and that means I'm jet-lagging or temporarily facing disruption of normal circadian rhythm caused by high-speed travel across several time zones in a jet aircraft, resulting in fatigue, disorientation, and disturbed sleep patterns. Hmm, do you think I can get off work for that? It does sound massive when put that way though.
I get a day off tomorrow and then I'm back to work. It's usually a good thing. Work is like the perfect jet lag antidote as it forces me back into routine and rhythm but till that happens, I'm not liking these hungry early mornings.
 |
| Mild-Tasting Wintermelon Soup Recipe |
I would like a pile of chocolate in MY kitchen, please!
ReplyDeleteif you're here, i'll be glad to pass em all to you.
Deletei love chocs, but i shouldnt be eating em all !
The one downside to travel – coming home from your vacation tired and feeling out of sorts. Hope you’re back “in sync” soon!
ReplyDeletei hope so too, Beth :)
Deletethanks
No need to sleep now. If you stay awake tonight, you'll feel like sleeping early tomorrow and get a good night's sleep before work. Carrot juice is a jet-lag cure taken by many notable travellers including Bugs Bunny.
ReplyDeleteapparently its carrot juice and bananas, GB.
Deletei'm certainly not feeling like a bunny right now though :)
You should always Zumba...it should be a life rule!
ReplyDeleteyeah, it's the way of life for me :)
DeleteSorry to hear you're jet lagged but it's good you had such a great time while you were away. All of that food sounds delicious too, enjoy it Jaya.
ReplyDeletei'm just up and i feel like i could sleep for a thousand days more, Matthew.
Deletehope all is well with you ? take care.
Yeah that sounds big enough to get you a sick day..hahaha..but work does throw one back into a routine, so I suppose it would get rid of the jetlag.
ReplyDeleteit's something i found in an online dictionary and liked it :)
Deletework is tomorrow.
Mmm. Food.
ReplyDeleteWell at last you enjoyed your trip. Jet lag is maybe a small price to pay (so says the person who doesn't seem to have faced the problem before) ;)
you mean, you never had it ?
Deletemy system is hopeless.
Furthest I've been had a five hour time difference. Didn't have any problems there or even when I got back. Don't know how it would be if I had to travel to even further timezones, though...
DeleteI'm with G - you should always Zumba. Maybe you'll feel better? Although I know sometimes you simply don't have the energy to.
DeleteOh what I'd give to be on holiday right now with a huge box of chocolates :)
yeah, Azra. zumba always make me feel better. its the junkie in me i guess.
Deleteif you're here, i'd pass you some chocs ;)
Terra, doha is also 5 hours. but i get jet-lagged like crazy.
Deleteits a blessing that you dont experience it.
:)
Good to hear you enjoyed your holiday so much. I love dining in nice places! Even when I'm NOT hungry.
ReplyDeleteYou'd like some pork? Hey, now I know why my little friendly piggy was squealing the other day! Somehow h knew this would happen. :)
what? the piggy squealing ? haha
Deletei always loved dining in nice places, RC.
I'll keep it short for it's getting kind of late: W.E.E.K.E.N.D!!!!!!!! :) :) :)
DeleteThe soup looks lovely, the one good thing of visiting other countrys apart from the jet lag turning you in to a zombie is the food,try everything.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up Zumba, it looks hilarious. How do people know you are Zumabing though and not that you have a cramp?.
yes the food! i love food too much but i need to be careful with it :(
DeleteZumba is dance aerobics :) isnt it fun ?
Aaah, the jet lag -> they say its the soul tryin to catch up after flying :)
ReplyDeleteSo how come u're in Qatar, Jaya??? I mean I always had this thing that u were in Malaysia :)
Yummy, ur description of the food gv me the cravings.. might as well get myself a bite of dark chocolate :)
Hope ur soul catches up with u soon Jaya :)
really ? when you put it that way, it sounds like a chinese belief :)
Deletei visit Doha cuz my husband lives and works there. im malaysian and live in kuala lumpur :)
i only seem to have tonnes of milk chocs, some mint choc and white choc bars. hahhaha.
thanks !
I've just returned from work and I'm hungry! Unfortunately, all I can find is some soup... :(
ReplyDeletechicken soup for the soul !
Deletedont complain. it's the best food, RC.
:)
welcome back!! hot soup and warm baths are my cures for everything!!
ReplyDeletethank you ! hmm. i like warm baths a lot.
DeleteLucky you, eating all this exotic food. Well at least your break is ending and mine will be starting soon. I feel a bit better about that. :P
ReplyDeleteIt's all good then :p
ReplyDeleteI mever had jet lag (never flew) but my mom has. It wasnt a Pretty picture when she got home
ReplyDeleteI always want someone to cook for me after vacationing. You just get so used to all that good food with no work.
ReplyDelete